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Arora IH, Woscoboinik GG, Mokhtar S, Quagliarini B, Bartal A, Jagodnik KM, Barry RL, Edlow AG, Orr SP, Dekel S. Establishing the validity of a diagnostic questionnaire for childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023:S0002-9378(23)02031-8. [PMID: 37981091 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.11.1229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Labor and delivery can entail complications and severe maternal morbidities that threaten a woman's life or cause her to believe that her life is in danger. Women with these experiences are at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder. Postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder, or childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder, can become an enduring and debilitating condition. At present, validated tools for a rapid and efficient screen for childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder are lacking. OBJECTIVE We examined the diagnostic validity of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, for detecting posttraumatic stress disorder among women who have had a traumatic childbirth. This Checklist assesses the 20 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and is a commonly used patient-administrated screening instrument. Its diagnostic accuracy for detecting childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder is unknown. STUDY DESIGN The sample included 59 patients who reported a traumatic childbirth experience determined in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, posttraumatic stress disorder criterion A for exposure involving a threat or potential threat to the life of the mother or infant, experienced or perceived, or physical injury. The majority (66%) of the participants were less than 1 year postpartum (for full sample: median, 4.67 months; mean, 1.5 years) and were recruited via the Mass General Brigham's online platform, during the postpartum unit hospitalization or after discharge. Patients were instructed to complete the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, concerning posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms related to childbirth. Other comorbid conditions (ie, depression and anxiety) were also assessed. They also underwent a clinician interview for posttraumatic stress disorder using the gold-standard Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. A second administration of the checklist was performed in a subgroup (n=43), altogether allowing an assessment of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and diagnostic validity of the Checklist. The diagnostic accuracy of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, in reference to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, was determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve; an optimal cutoff score was identified using the Youden's J index. RESULTS One-third of the sample (35.59%) met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, criteria for a posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis stemming from childbirth. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, symptom severity score was strongly correlated with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, total score (ρ=0.82; P<.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.99), indicating excellent diagnostic performance of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. A cutoff value of 28 maximized the sensitivity (0.81) and specificity (0.90) and correctly diagnosed 86% of women. A higher value (32) identified individuals with more severe posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (specificity, 0.95), but with lower sensitivity (0.62). Checklist scores were also stable over time (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.73), indicating good test-retest reliability. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, scores were moderately correlated with the depression and anxiety symptom scores (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: ρ=0.58; P<.001 and the Brief Symptom Inventory, anxiety subscale: ρ=0.51; P<.001). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the validity of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, as a screening tool for posttraumatic stress disorder among women who had a traumatic childbirth experience. The instrument may facilitate screening for childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder on a large scale and help identify women who might benefit from further diagnostics and services. Replication of the findings in larger, postpartum samples is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Hemant Arora
- Postpartum Traumatic Stress (Dekel) Laboratory, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Georgia G Woscoboinik
- Postpartum Traumatic Stress (Dekel) Laboratory, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Salma Mokhtar
- Postpartum Traumatic Stress (Dekel) Laboratory, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Beatrice Quagliarini
- Postpartum Traumatic Stress (Dekel) Laboratory, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Alon Bartal
- The School of Business Administration, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Kathleen M Jagodnik
- Postpartum Traumatic Stress (Dekel) Laboratory, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
| | - Robert L Barry
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Health Sciences & Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA; Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
| | - Scott P Orr
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA; Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Sharon Dekel
- Postpartum Traumatic Stress (Dekel) Laboratory, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA.
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Orovou E, Eskitzis P, Mrvoljak-Theodoropoulou I, Tzitiridou-Hatzopoulou M, Dagla M, Arampatzi C, Iliadou M, Antoniou E. The Relation between Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Cesarean Section. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1877. [PMID: 37444711 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11131877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The experience of a neonate hospitalized in the NICU is an understandably traumatic experience for parents, especially for the mothers of neonates. This mental distress resulting from preterm birth and/or NICU hospitalization can be understood as post-traumatic symptomatology, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 version). The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the admission of a neonate to the NICU (forany reason) on the development of postpartum PTSD in a sample of women after cesarean section. METHODS A total of 469 women who gave birth with cesarean section from July 2019 to June 2020 participated in this study out of the original sample of 490 women who consented to participate. Data were obtained from the researcher's socio-demographic questionnaire and the post-traumatic stress checklist (PCL-5) from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DCM-5 version. RESULTS In total,11.7% of the sample experienced postpartum PTSD. There is a strong relationship between the inclusion of a neonate to the NICU due to perinatal stress, breathing difficulties, infections, and IUGR with postpartum PTSD (37.7%) in relation to the perinatal stress Criterion A (fear for the life of the neonate), the first criterion of postpartum PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Additional measures must be taken for mothers of children who have been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with psychological support interventions and a reassessment of their mental state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Orovou
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Agioy Spyridonos 28, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
- Department of Midwifery, University of Western Macedonia, Keptse, 50200 Ptolemaida, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Eskitzis
- Department of Midwifery, University of Western Macedonia, Keptse, 50200 Ptolemaida, Greece
| | | | | | - Maria Dagla
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Agioy Spyridonos 28, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
| | - Christiana Arampatzi
- Department of Midwifery, University of Western Macedonia, Keptse, 50200 Ptolemaida, Greece
| | - Maria Iliadou
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Agioy Spyridonos 28, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
| | - Evangelia Antoniou
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Agioy Spyridonos 28, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
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Suarez A, Yakupova V. Past Traumatic Life Events, Postpartum PTSD, and the Role of Labor Support. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:6048. [PMID: 37297652 PMCID: PMC10252538 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20116048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the association of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD) symptoms and subjective rates of traumatic birth experience with past traumatic life events (physical and sexual assault, child abuse, perinatal loss, previous traumatic birth experience, and the cumulative traumatic experience). A sample of Russian women (n = 2579) who gave birth within the previous 12 months, filled in a web-based survey, where they reported demographic and obstetric characteristics and past traumatic experiences, evaluated their birth experience (0 = not traumatic, 10 = extremely traumatic), and completed the City Birth Trauma Scale (CBiTS). We found that PP-PTSD symptoms were higher among women who previously experienced physical (F = 22.02, p < 0.001) and sexual (F = 15.98, p < 0.001) assault and child abuse (F = 69.25, p < 0.001), with only associations with child abuse (F = 21.14, p < 0.001) remaining significant for subjective rates of traumatic birth experience. Perinatal loss and previous traumatic birth showed moderate but inconsistent effects. Support during labor did not have a buffering effect for participants with past traumatic experiences but showed a universally protective effect against PP-PTSD. Trauma-informed practices and allowing women to have a supportive birth team of choice during childbirth are promising avenues to minimize the incidence of PP-PTSD and improve the childbirth experience for all women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Suarez
- Department of Psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia;
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Orovou E, Eskitzis P, Mrvoljak-Theodoropoulou I, Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou M, Arampatzi C, Rigas N, Palaska E, Dagla M, Iliadou M, Antoniou E. The Involvement of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Other Perinatal Factors in Postpartum PTSD After Cesarean Section. J Mother Child 2023; 27:158-167. [PMID: 37920113 PMCID: PMC10623112 DOI: 10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The experience of a neonate hospitalised in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is an understandably traumatic experience for the parents, especially, for the mothers of neonates. This mental distress resulting from preterm birth and/or NICU hospitalisation can be understood as post-traumatic symptomatology, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 version. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the admission of a neonate to the NICU (from any reason) on the development of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of women after cesarean sections. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 469 women who gave birth with cesarean section from July 2019 to June 2020 participated in this study, from the original sample of 490 women who consented to participate. Data were obtained from the researcher's socio-demographic questionnaire, the past traumatic Life Events Checklist, the perinatal stressor Criterion A, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 version. RESULTS A percentage of 46.64% of sample experienced postpartum PTSD. Factors associated with PTSD were placenta previa type4, abruption, bleeding (β = .07, p = .049), premature contractions (β = .08, p = .039), heavy medical history or previous gynecological history and preeclampsia (β = .08, p = .034), abnormal heart rate, premature rupture of membrane, premature contractions, infections (β = .14, p = .004), life of child in danger (β = .12, p = .025), complications involving child (β = .15, p = .002), complications involving both (child and mother) (β = .12, p = .011), traumatic cesarean section (β = .041, p < .001) and prematurity (β = .12, p = .022). CONCLUSIONS Additional measures must be taken for mothers of children who have been admitted to the NICU with psychological support interventions and reassessment of their mental state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Orovou
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece
- Department of Midwifery, University of Western Macedonia, Keptse, Ptolemaida, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Eskitzis
- Department of Midwifery, University of Western Macedonia, Keptse, Ptolemaida, Greece
| | | | | | - Christiana Arampatzi
- Department of Midwifery, University of Western Macedonia, Keptse, Ptolemaida, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Rigas
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece
| | - Ermioni Palaska
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece
| | - Maria Dagla
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece
| | - Maria Iliadou
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece
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Sachdeva J, Nagle Yang S, Gopalan P, Worley LLM, Mittal L, Shirvani N, Spada M, Albertini E, Shenai N, Moore Simas TA, Byatt N. Ensuring Trauma Informed Care in the Obstetric Setting: A vital role for the Psychiatrist. J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry 2022; 63:485-496. [PMID: 35513261 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trauma is highly prevalent, and women are twice as likely as men to develop post-traumatic stress disorder following a traumatic exposure. Consequently, many women entering the perinatal period have trauma histories. In the perinatal period, a trauma history, can negatively impact treatment engagement and adversely affect the experience of pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. A trauma informed care approach can mitigate these effects. OBJECTIVES This review aims to summarize literature that can aid psychiatrists in 1) identifying signs and symptoms of trauma in perinatal women 2) integrating elements of trauma informed care into perinatal mental health care, and 3) offering interventions that can minimize adverse outcomes for perinatal women and their children. METHODS A PubMed search was conducted with keywords including trauma, pregnancy, perinatal, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), postpartum PTSD, trauma informed care. RESULTS Perinatal care, given its somewhat invasive nature, has the potential to traumatize or cause re-traumatization. Trauma related disorders are common and can present or worsen in the perinatal period. Trauma can manifest in multiple forms in this population, including exacerbation of pre-existing PTSD, new onset acute stress disorder in the perinatal period or postpartum PTSD secondary to traumatic childbirth. Unaddressed trauma can adversely affect the experience of pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Psychiatrists caring for women in the perinatal period, are in an ideal position to screen for trauma and offer appropriate intervention. A trauma informed approach to obstetric care can help clinical teams respond to the unique trauma-related challenges that can arise during obstetric care. Trauma informed care, with its emphasis on establishing a culture of safety, transparency, trustworthiness, collaboration, and mutuality can empower health care providers and systems with powerful tools to respond to trauma and its myriad effects in a strengths-based manner. By applying a trauma-informed lens, psychiatrists can help their obstetric colleagues provide patient-centered compassionate care and treatment. CONCLUSIONS Applying a trauma informed approach to evaluation and treatment of perinatal populations could decrease the toll trauma has on affected women and their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Sachdeva
- Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, 260 Stetson St. Suite 3200, Cincinnati, OH 45219.
| | - Sarah Nagle Yang
- Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine
| | - Priya Gopalan
- Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Linda L M Worley
- Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - Leena Mittal
- Chief, Division of Women's Mental Health , Brigham and Women's Hospital , Instructor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | | | - Meredith Spada
- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | | | - Neeta Shenai
- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Tiffany A Moore Simas
- Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Health
| | - Nancy Byatt
- Professor with Tenure of Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Heal
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Yakupova V, Suarez A, Kharchenko A. Birth Experience, Postpartum PTSD and Depression before and during the Pandemic of COVID-19 in Russia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 19:335. [PMID: 35010595 PMCID: PMC8751046 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study is to investigate the changes in the maternal healthcare system during the pandemic and their associations with maternal mental health in Russia. A sample of Russian women who gave birth during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 1645) and matched controls, i.e., women who gave birth before the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 611), completed an anonymous Internet survey about recent childbirth. They were assessed for childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and postpartum depression (PPD). Clinically relevant symptoms of PPD and PTSD were high before the pandemic and showed no significant change during the pandemic (p = 0.48 and p = 0.64, respectively). We found a notable increase in the frequency of obstetric violence (p = 0.015) during the pandemic, which, in turn, has a strong correlation with birth-related PTSD and PPD. The problem of ethical communication with patients among maternal healthcare professionals is acute in Russia, and it has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Family and doula support during labor can be a potential protective factor against obstetric violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Yakupova
- Faculty of Psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 125009 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.); (A.K.)
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Garthus-Niegel S, Horsch A, Handtke E, von Soest T, Ayers S, Weidner K, Eberhard-Gran M. The Impact of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress and Depression Symptoms on Couples' Relationship Satisfaction: A Population-Based Prospective Study. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1728. [PMID: 30283380 PMCID: PMC6157399 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The couple relationship is of particular importance in the transition to parenthood and in the early childhood years because it is related to the well-being and mental health of partners, children, and the family. One factor that may substantially influence relationship quality and couple satisfaction after childbirth is the woman’s experience of birth. Approximately 2–4% of women develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth, with potentially wide-ranging negative consequences for the women themselves and their families. To date, some qualitative studies have explored the influence of postpartum PTSD on couple relationship satisfaction. However, quantitative studies are sparse, with mixed results and methodological limitations. We hypothesized that postpartum PTSD will be prospectively associated with low couple relationship satisfaction, even when taking into account a variety of potential confounding variables, and that the effect of postpartum PTSD symptoms on couple relationship satisfaction will be mediated by postpartum depression symptoms. This study is based on data from the Akershus Birth Cohort study, a prospective cohort study. Information from hospital records and questionnaires completed at 17 weeks gestational age, as well as at 8 weeks and 2 years postpartum were used (n = 1480). PTSD symptoms were measured by the Impact of Event Scale and couple relationship satisfaction was assessed using a modified version of the Mehrabians Marital Satisfaction Scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlations, multivariate regression analyses, and mediation analyses. Postpartum PTSD symptoms were prospectively related to low couple relationship satisfaction at 2 years postpartum, even when controlling for a considerable number of background factors. When including postpartum depression symptoms as predictor in the analyses, the effect of postpartum PTSD was no longer significant. Moreover, more detailed analyses showed that postpartum depression symptoms acted as a significant mediator, fully explaining the association of postpartum PTSD with couples’ relationship satisfaction. Early detection of couples’ relationship problems and the provision of professional help, particularly in high-risk couples may not only improve the quality of the couple relationship but also improve parenting and promote positive child outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Garthus-Niegel
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Child Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Nydalen, Norway
| | - Antje Horsch
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare (IUFRS), Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric Handtke
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Susan Ayers
- Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Malin Eberhard-Gran
- Department of Child Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Nydalen, Norway.,Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Dekel S, Stuebe C, Dishy G. Childbirth Induced Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Prevalence and Risk Factors. Front Psychol 2017; 8:560. [PMID: 28443054 PMCID: PMC5387093 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress related with the childbirth experience of full-term delivery with health outcomes has been recently documented in a growing body of studies. The magnitude of this condition and the factors that might put a woman at risk for developing childbirth-related postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD) symptoms are not fully understood. Methods: In this systematic review of 36 articles representing quantitative studies of primarily community samples, we set to examine PP-PTSD prevalence rates and associated predictors with a focus on the role of prior PTSD and time since childbirth. Results: A significant minority of women endorsed PP-PTSD following successful birth. Acute PP-PTSD rates were between 4.6 and 6.3%, and endorsement of clinically significant PP-PTSD symptoms was identified in up to 16.8% of women in community samples of high quality studies. Negative subjective experience of childbirth emerged as the most important predictor. Endorsement of PTSD before childbirth contributed to PP-PTSD; nevertheless, women without PTSD also exhibited PP-PTSD, with acute rates at 4.6%, signifying a new PTSD onset in the postpartum period. Conclusion: Although the majority of women cope well, childbirth for some can be perceived as a highly stressful experience and even result in the development of PP-PTSD symptoms. More research is needed to understand postpartum adaption and childbirth-related posttraumatic stress outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Dekel
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General HospitalCharlestown, MA, USA
| | - Caren Stuebe
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General HospitalCharlestown, MA, USA
| | - Gabriella Dishy
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General HospitalCharlestown, MA, USA
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Abstract
Postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (P-PTSD) is a variant of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that, although relatively prevalent, is under-researched. Up to one-third of women in the United States describe childbirth as traumatic, with 9 percent of women meeting the criteria for PTSD outlined by the American Psychiatric Association. These statistics are sobering in light of common use of analgesia during birth as well as hospital birth environments promoting family-centered maternity care. How can a seemingly natural event, such as childbirth, be associated with PTSD? This review includes a description of key variables associated with P-PTSD. Socioeconomic, environmental and genetic determinants are discussed, as are evidence-based prevention and treatment approaches.
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