Maternal depression screening during prenatal and postpartum care at a Navy and Marine Corps military treatment facility
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Spooner, S., Rastle, M., & Elmore, K. (2012). Maternal depression screening during prenatal and postpartum care at a Navy and Marine Corps military treatment facility. Military Medicine, 177(10), 1208-1211. doi:10.7205/milmed-d-12-00159
Abstract Created by REACH:
Survey data from wives of male Service members who were receiving obstetric care at a Navy and Marine Corps military treatment facility were used to evaluate rates of perinatal depression and assess the impact of deployment as a risk factor. Results suggested relatively low rates of perinatal depression, although rates of depression did vary according to husbands deployment status.
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Military medical service providers
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Empirical Study
Longitudinal Study
Retrospective Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Spooner, Shawn, Rastle, Marsha, Elmore, Kelly
Abstract:
Maternal depression in the prenatal and postpartum periods is an important concern for women, infants, and families. Military family life may create some unique stressors, including operational deployment of an active duty husband, which increase perinatal depression challenges for women. This study examined depression screening scores, based on a modified Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, among women receiving obstetric care at a military hospital serving a Navy and Marine Corps community. Among 3,882 surveys collected between 2007 and 2009 from women at various points in their prenatal or postpartum care, the proportion with scores indicative of high risk for clinical depression was relatively low at 4.6%. However, scores were significantly higher at the initial obstetric visit among women who reported their husband as currently deployed, and scores were significantly higher at the postpartum visit among women who reported their husband as currently deployed or planning to deploy. These results underscore the importance of evaluating all aspects of the military family life experience when providing perinatal care to women in military families.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Association of Military Surgeons
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Branch Medical Clinic USS Tranquility, Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, SS
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, MR
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, KE
Keywords:
maternal depression screening, prenatal care, postpartum care, marine personnel, military psychology
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary