Peritraumatic Distress Mediates the Effect of Severity of Disaster Exposure on Perinatal Depression: The Iowa Flood Study.
Title | Peritraumatic Distress Mediates the Effect of Severity of Disaster Exposure on Perinatal Depression: The Iowa Flood Study. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Brock RL, O'Hara MW, Hart KJ, McCabe-Beane JE, J Williamson A, Brunet A, Laplante DP, Yu C, King S |
Journal | J Trauma Stress |
Volume | 28 |
Issue | 6 |
Pagination | 515-22 |
Date Published | 2015 Dec |
ISSN | 1573-6598 |
Keywords | Adult, Depression, Postpartum, Depressive Disorder, Disasters, Female, Floods, Humans, Iowa, Perinatology, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnant Women, Stress Disorders, Traumatic |
Abstract | Disaster exposure during pregnancy has received limited attention. This study examined the impact of the 2008 Iowa Floods on perinatal maternal depression and well-being, and the role of peritraumatic distress as a possible mechanism explaining this link. Perinatal women (N = 171) completed measures of depressive symptoms and general well-being at 5 timepoints from pregnancy to 30 months postpartum. Objectively assessed prenatal flood exposure was associated with greater depression (r = .15). Further, flood-related peritraumatic distress was uniquely associated with greater depression (r = .23), and was a key mechanism through which flood exposure led to depression. Prenatal flood exposure was also associated with general well-being (r = .18); however, a mechanism other than peritraumatic distress appears to have been responsible for the effect of flood exposure on well-being. We discuss the implications of these findings for informing etiological models and enhancing the efficacy of interventions for maternal psychopathology. |
DOI | 10.1002/jts.22056 |
Alternate Journal | J Trauma Stress |
PubMed ID | 26584403 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4733267 |
Grant List | R21 MH086150 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States MH086150 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States MOP-93660 / / Canadian Institutes of Health Research / Canada |