POSTPARTUM DEPRESSED MOOD - THE IMPACT OF DAILY HASSLES

The current study examined the relationship of social support and stressors, especially 'microstressors' or hassles, to the development of postpartum depressed mood. The Beck Depression Inventory was utilized to assess depressive symptomatology; major life events were measured on the Life Experiences Survey; child care related stressors were measured on the Childcare Stress Inventory; and the Hassles Scale was used to assess 'microstressors' or daily hassles. Subjects (n = 287) were recruited from a large private obstetrical practice in southwestern West Virginia. Subjects completed questionnaires in their third trimester of pregnancy, when their infants were 2 months old, and again at 6 months postpartum. Results indicate that hassles added an additional 15% of the variance seen in postpartum depressed mood after the effects due to prepartum depressed mood had been accounted for. Daily hassles may have more of an impact than do other types of stressors and should be considered when assessing postpartum depressed mood.