Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Stress From Pregnancy to the Postnatal Period Among Canadian Women: Impact of Employment and Immigration.

Abstract

<i>Objectives.</i> To identify trajectory patterns of maternal depressive symptoms and perceived stress from midpregnancy to 2 years postpartum and determine relationships with selected sociodemographic factors including income, education, immigration, and postpartum employment. <i>Methods.</i> Pregnant women (n = 3307) recruited from the general population in 4 regions in Canada provided 6 waves of data from pregnancy to 2 years postpartum. The study was conducted from 2009 to 2015. <i>Results.</i> We determined 5 trajectory groups distinguished by time and magnitude for both depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Immigrants living in Canada for more than 5 up to 10 years, but not more recent arrivals, were at higher risk for persistent stress and depression independent of income status. Being employed at 1 year postpartum was associated with a lower likelihood of postpartum depression and perceived stress, while mothers reporting work exhaustion were substantially more likely to experience persistent depression and stress. <i>Conclusions.</i> The study highlighted the heterogeneous nature of depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Targeting interventions toward women 5 to 10 years after immigration and those experiencing exhaustion from postpartum work may be particularly beneficial.