Postpartum Depression and Timing of Spousal Military Deployment Relative to Pregnancy and Delivery
Abstract
This retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the association between spousal deployment and postpartum depression among pregnant wives of active-duty service members. Medical records for 161,454 births occurring between 2004 and 2009 were used to define postpartum depression and several medical and behavioral covariates. Military personnel files were used to define deployment and service-related covariates. Three non-mutually exclusive exposure variables were created to categorize deployments as occurring before, during, or after the infant s delivery. Spousal deployment in pregnancy with return after delivery (ie, deployment during delivery) was significantly associated with postpartum depression (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04 1.15). An interactive effect between preexisting depression or anxiety and deployment during delivery was also detected in the data: OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07 1.20 for those without a preexisting diagnosis; OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80 0.95 for those with a preexisting diagnosis. Health care providers should continue to be aware of spousal deployment as a military-unique stressor in this population and monitor for potential symptoms of postpartum depression, especially among those whose husbands are deployed during delivery. Support services and resources should be provided accordingly.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 03, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA620304
Entities
People
- Anna T. Bukowinski
- Ava Marie S. Conlin
- Carter J. Sevick
- J Levine
- Krista M. Mehlhaff
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center