Control and social support variables during pregnancy and the development of depressive symptoms during the postpartum period

This study tested the predictive value of measures of reported sense of control and perceived social support in work and family domains measured during the third trimester of pregnancy (Time 1) on the development of depressive symptoms measured at 3 (Time 2) and 6 (Time 3) months postpartum. A purposive sample of employed women (N = 168) expecting their first baby, with live-in partners, were recruited through birth education classes. Reported sense of control and social support from work and family were measured as moderating variables of depressive symptoms evident in the postpartum period. Personal control at work included measures of skill discretion and decision authority (Barnett & Brennan, 1995). Control in the family was measured in two ways: reported control in the relationship with partner (Thomas & Ganster, 1995) and parenting control questions. Social support measures included support at work from supervisor and coworkers (Thomas, Forehand, & Neighbors, 1995), and family support (Cutrona & Russel, 1987) from partner and parents. The predictive value of the model was explored after controlling for history of depression, age, and social economic status (SES). The relationships of length of maternity leave to depressive symptoms and reported sense of control were explored. The impact of infant temperament (Bates, Freeland, & Lounsbury, 1979) on women's sense of control and depressive symptoms was explored. The results from this study demonstrate that mothers' reported sense of control both within the family and at work measured during pregnancy have predictive value for depressive symptoms measured at 3 and 6 months postpartum; mothers reporting more sense of control during pregnancy also tended to report fewer depressive symptoms. The reported sense of control at home and supervisor support both measured during pregnancy were the strongest predictors of depressive symptoms in the postpartum period, with each negatively related to depressive symptoms. The importance of different types of social support varied across measurement times supporting the perspective that during the period of the transition to motherhood, different sources of support and types of support vary in their importance. The implications of findings for clinical interventions and policy developments are discussed.