Attitudes and adjustment to the parental role in mothers following treatment for postnatal depression

Background tervention studies of postnatal depression (PND) have evaluated accompanying changes in parenting, in spite of mounting evidence that exposure to chronic depression is detrimental to infant development. This study examined maternal attitudes and adjustment over the first postnatal year within a treatment trial. The aim was to examine whether maternal adjustment improved with earlier remission, and with combined medical and psychological treatment. s t of a multicentre pragmatic randomised controlled trial of treatment for PND, mothers completed a measure of maternal adjustment and attitudes and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at an initial home visit (week 0) and three follow-ups (weeks 4, 18 and 44). s al attitudes and adjustment improved with PND remission; earlier remission conferred no additional benefit by 44-week follow-up. In line with previous studies, no particular treatment modality (antidepressant or health-visitor delivered non-directive counselling), or combination of treatments, was more effective for improving adjustment to parenthood. However, the earlier start of antidepressant treatment provided a short-term advantage for improving attitudes and reducing perceived stress. tions esult of the studyʹs pragmatic trial design, there was high treatment non-compliance and no ‘pure’ control group. More depressed mothers may have been less likely to complete the maternal adjustment and attitudes measure. sions ive treatment of PND is important not only for the motherʹs wellbeing but also for healthy adjustment to parenthood. Provision of treatment choice and early antidepressant treatment are suggested for optimising maternal attitudes and adjustment.