Skip to content

Survey study, 2018

Do PMS and unhelpful thinking patterns connect to postpartum depression?

Yes. Both showed clear connections to postpartum depression. Together they explained 42% of the variation in depression scores.

Early or limited evidence 179 mothers in Mashhad, Iran with mean age 29.7 years

What they did

Asked 179 new mothers in Iran to fill out questionnaires about their thinking patterns, PMS symptoms, and depression in the weeks after birth.

What they found

Both PMS and maladaptive schemas (unhelpful thinking patterns) showed clear connections to postpartum depression. Together they predicted 42% of the variation in depression.

What it means for you

Women with PMS and certain thinking patterns may be at higher risk for postpartum depression. However this only shows connection, not cause. The study was small and looked at only one location.

179

Mothers studied

42%

Variance in depression explained by PMS and thinking patterns

29.7

Mean age of mothers

About the study

Original title
Early Maladaptive schemas and Premenstrual syndrome in mothers with postpartum depression
Authors
Bahman Alimoradi, Hamid Nejat
Journal
Preventive Care In Nursing and Midwifery Journal
Year
2018
Study design
Survey study
Participants
179
What was tested
None
Open access
Yes

Topics