Registered Nurses´ Association of Ontario
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Other Risk Factors Resource Sheet
Although all women are susceptible to developing depression following childbirth, women who have one or more of the following factors have a significantly increased risk of experiencing postpartum depression.
Strong to Moderate Risk:
Depression during pregnancy.
Anxiety during pregnancy.
Stressful recent life events.
Lack of social support (either perceived or received).
Previous history of depression.
Moderate Risk:
High levels of childcare stress.
Low self-esteem.
Neuroticism.
Difficult infant temperment.
Small Risk:
Obstetric and pregnancy complications.
Cognitive attributions.
Quality of relationship with partner.
Socioeconomic status.
No effect:
Ethnicity.
Maternal age.
Level of education.
Parity.
Gender of child (within Western societies).
