Survey study, 2000
Is there a link between premenstrual syndrome and postnatal depression?
This exploratory study found an association between PMS and later postnatal depression, suggesting women with PMS might be at higher risk. However, this is very early research and we cannot be confident the results apply widely.
What they did
Compared 25 mothers without postnatal depression to 26 mothers with diagnosed postnatal depression using questionnaires to measure both PMS and depression.
What they found
The study found an association between PMS and the later development of postnatal depression, suggesting a history of PMS might help predict which women develop postnatal depression after childbirth.
What it means for you
This is a small exploratory study, so the results cannot be trusted without much larger follow-up research. It found only an association, not proof that PMS causes postnatal depression. Many other factors could explain both conditions, and the study was not designed to rule them out.
51
mothers total
26
with postnatal depression
25
without postnatal depression
About the study
- Original title
- Relationship between premenstrual syndrome and postnatal depression: An exploratory study
- Authors
- Gregory J. Boyle, Emma J. Boucher
- Journal
- The Journal of multivariate experimental personality and clinical psychology.
- Year
- 2000
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 26
- What was tested
- None - comparison of two groups.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.62704/10057/18886
Topics
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