Presenter(s): Emily Myers − Human Physiology
Faculty Mentor(s): April Lightcap, Sienna Howells
Poster 107
Research Area: Psychology
Funding: Grant from: Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Postpartum depression (PPD) is an important area of study, as it is a common and debilitating disorder afflicting 1 in 5 mothers of newborns (CDC, 2017); and it is also linked to poorer outcomes for mothers, infants and their families. A growing body of evidence suggest that increases in mindful awareness – a set of qualities involving open, nonjudgmental attention to present- moment experiences, predict decreases in depression symptoms generally. Less research, however, has been conducted to examine the influence of maternal mindfulness on postpartum depression specifically. The present study examines the relationship between maternal trait mindfulness and maternal depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. We predicted that postpartum levels of maternal trait mindfulness would inversely correlate with postpartum depressive symptoms. To test this hypothesis, thirty-eight low-income women completed measures of maternal depressive symptoms and maternal mindfulness both prenatally and in the first three months postpartum. Results of a linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between postpartum maternal mindfulness and postpartum depressive symptoms, while prenatal levels of maternal mindfulness and depressive symptoms were controlled. These findings implicate maternal mindfulness in the postpartum period as a potentially important intervening factor in the mitigation of postpartum depression. Integrating postpartum mindfulness practices could potentially reduce the rate of women experiencing postpartum depression, overall enhance mother-infant relationships, and other key relationship dynamics within families.