Depresión postparto, apoyo social y calidad de vida en mujeres de Cali, Colombia

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: 1. Determine if women express depressive symptoms during the pre-natal and postpartum period. 2. Determine if quality of life and social support relate with symptom of depression in the postpartum. 3. Establish a predictive model for postnatal depression. Instruments. Scale of Social Support, Quality of Life Index, Scale CES-D and Risk Factors Questionnaire applied in the 32-36 weeks of pregnancy and during the 3-4 weeks in the post-partum. The mean age for the sample was 26 years old, 54% couples were living together without a legal marriage, mean for the first prenatal visit to the clinic was 21 weeks of pregnancy; 66% of pregnant women and 57% of postnatal women expressed depressive symptoms. Two regression equations of postpartum depression were found, one with variables from prenatal, quality of life, size and conflict of the social network, need for support, satisfaction with support and risk factors (R 2= .67). The same variables in the postpartum, except risk factors explained 65% of the variance. Each variable from the predictive models is discussed. Implications for practice of anticipatory care and nursing care based in a transdimensional care model are given. Specific areas of social support and quality of life are considered for care. © 2000 Corporación Editora Médica del Valle.