Symposia
Eating Disorders
Caroline Christian, M.S.
Doctoral Student
The University of Louisville
Fort Thomas, Kentucky
Luis Sandoval-araujo, PhD
study Coordinator
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Cheri Levinson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
One in eight pregnant women develop postpartum depression. Postpartum depression and related mental health concerns are associated with adverse physical and psychosocial outcomes for both mother and baby, representing a critical health concern. However, less is known about how eating disorder (ED) symptoms impact postpartum depression during this transition period.
The current study collected data from 209 pregnant women recruited from social media across two time points: once during pregnancy (T1) and once eight weeks postpartum (T2). In the current study, we aim to 1) examine if ED symptoms at T1 and (2) change in ED symptoms from T1 to T2 (difference score) predict postpartum depression at eight weeks, above depression symptoms during pregnancy. We also explore qualitative responses from pregnant participants using thematic analysis to identify possible risk and protective factors that may impact these relationships.
Multiple regression analyses indicated that ED symptoms (ß= .41, part r = .34, p < .001) and increases in ED symptoms (ß= .31, part r = .28, p < .001) both predicted postpartum depression over and above prenatal depression (ß= .43, part r = .39, p < .001) with moderate effect sizes. As a part of T2 surveys, participants responded to the question, “How did changes in your body or eating habits during and after this pregnancy impact how you think or feel about yourself?” Qualitative coding of these responses will be discussed in the presentation to elucidate possible factors that may impact the relationship between ED symptoms and depression across pregnancy.
Overall, this study shows that ED symptoms during pregnancy and post-partum are important for the prediction of postpartum depression, highlighting the need to assess for ED symptoms and symptom changes during this critical period. Given the high prevalence and individual and societal cost of postpartum depression, more attention should be given to establishing support for healthy eating and body image across this important transitional time. The results of this project elucidate unique and shared experiences across pregnancy and postpartum to inform tailored interventions to reduce the burden of ED and depressive symptoms in new mothers.