Abstract

In this pilot study we examined the relationship between objective and subjective sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms in 22 healthy primiparous postpartum women within 3 months after delivery. We found that none of the women in our study had clinically significant depression scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; nonetheless, a variable duration of night-time sleep from night to night during the 7-day monitoring period and reported awakening too early were significantly correlated with increased depressive symptoms. Results suggest that first-time mothers who complain of irregular night-time sleep duration and waking up too early should be screened and evaluated for potential postpartum depressive symptoms.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Tsai SY, Thomas KA

Institution

Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No 1, Sec 1, Jen-Ai Rd, Taipei 10051, Taiwan.

Source

Research in nursing & health 35:3 2012 Jun pg 314-23

MeSH

Actigraphy
Adolescent
Adult
Depression
Female
Humans
Pilot Projects
Postpartum Period
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Sleep
Sleep Disorders
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22431157