Post-partum depression and the mother-infant relationship in a South African peri-urban settlement
Abstract
Background: Post-partum depression in the developing world has received tittle research attention, and its association with disturbances in the mother–infant relationship is unknown. Aims: To determine the prevalence of post-partum depression and associated disturbances in the mother–infant relationship in Khayelitsha, a South African peri-urban settlement. Method: The mental state of 147 women who had delivered two months previously was assessed, and the quality of their engagement with their infants was determined. Results: The point prevalence of DSM–IV major depression was found to be 34.7%. Maternal depression was associated with poor emotional and practical support from the partner. It was also associated with insensitive engagement with the infants. Conclusions: The rate of post-partum depression in Khayelitsha was around three times that found in British post-partum samples, and these depressions were strongly associated with disturbances in the mother–infant relationship.
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In one SA-based study, mothers living with depression had significantly poorer sensitivity when engaging with their infants.
“Mothers living with depression had significantly poorer sensitivity (characterized by responsiveness, acceptance, and warmth, in addition to actual sensitivity) when engaging with their infants [20].”
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- Authors
- Cooper, P. J., Tomlinson, M., Swartz, L., Woolgar, M., Murray, L., & Molteno, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Reading (GB)
- University of Cape Town (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Cooper, Peter J.
- Venue
- British Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Published
- 1999-12
- Volume
- 175
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 554-558
- ISSN
- 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
- 1472-1465
- OpenAlex
- W2137332485
- Cited by
- 422
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 6.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Maternal and fetal healthcare
- Keywords
- postpartum depression, mother-infant relationship, maternal depression, infant engagement, peri-urban settlements, Khayelitsha, developing countries
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Developing Countries, Educational Status, Female, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Maternal Age, Mother-Child Relations, Parity, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Sex, Socioeconomic Factors, South Africa, Urban Population, Prevalence, Marital Status, Depression, Postpartum
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