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Mattering and Depressive Symptoms in Portuguese Postpartum Women: The Indirect Effect of Loneliness

Author

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  • Bárbara Caetano

    (Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Mariana Branquinho

    (Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Maria Cristina Canavarro

    (Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Ana Fonseca

    (Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression is described as the most prevalent clinical condition in the postpartum period, with several negative consequences. The current study aimed to understand the relationship between mattering, loneliness and depressive symptoms in Portuguese postpartum women and to examine the potential mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between mattering and depressive symptomatology among postpartum women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample collected online composed of 530 Portuguese women in the postpartum period, who answered self-report questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms, mattering, and loneliness. Results: It was found that the relationships between mattering, loneliness, and depressive symptoms were significant, p < 0.001: (a) higher levels of mattering were associated with lower levels of loneliness and depressive symptomatology and (b) higher levels of loneliness were associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology. The relationship between mattering and postpartum depressive symptoms occurred directly and indirectly through loneliness, 95% CI = [−0.75, −0.46]. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of studying loneliness as a possible risk factor for postpartum depression and alert to the pertinence of considering mattering and loneliness in the assessment and intervention with women in the perinatal period.

Suggested Citation

  • Bárbara Caetano & Mariana Branquinho & Maria Cristina Canavarro & Ana Fonseca, 2022. "Mattering and Depressive Symptoms in Portuguese Postpartum Women: The Indirect Effect of Loneliness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11671-:d:916560
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lixia Ge & Chun Wei Yap & Reuben Ong & Bee Hoon Heng, 2017. "Social isolation, loneliness and their relationships with depressive symptoms: A population-based study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Andrzej Śliwerski & Karolina Kossakowska & Karolina Jarecka & Julita Świtalska & Eleonora Bielawska-Batorowicz, 2020. "The Effect of Maternal Depression on Infant Attachment: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-42, April.
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