This paper reports preliminary results of a larger prospective study examining the course and recurrence of postnatal depression and dysphoria in a group of 45 first time mothers admitted to Tresillian Family Care Centres (as inpatients) in Sydney, NSW. Paternal mental health and well-being will also be reported.

These results will address issues related to the categorial diagnosis of major depression vs dysphoria, and also the prevalence of : recurrent vs de novo onset of affective disturbance and transient vs persistent mood disturbance in the first postnatal year. In the long term, the study will be able to address how these different patterns of maternal depression impact on child outcomes.

Method

Mothers were screened on admission with the EPDS, subsequently interviewed at 4 months and again at 12 months using a diagnostic interview for current and lifetime history of depression (CIDI). Symptoms of depression were assessed at 12 months with the CES-D for both mothers and fathers. Self-report data on anxiety state and marital adjustment for both parents will also be presented.

Interview data on the use of medication history of counselling, previous hospitalisations and suicide attempts will also be reported

Results

Relationships between episodes of maternal depression in the first four months after childbirth, past history, recurrence and persistence of depression will be reported. Associations with paternal mental health will also be presented.