Stressful Life Events and Self-Reported Postpartum Depressive Symptoms 13-24 Months After Live Birth Among Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native Mothers in Oregon: Results from a Population-Based Survey.

Objectives: We explored the association between stressful life events and postpartum depressive symptoms among non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) mothers.
Methods: We analyzed self-reports of stressful life events and depressive symptoms from 298 AI/AN respondents and conducted logistic regression to examine their association.
Results: Of the AI/AN mothers who responded, 29.7% reported depressive symptoms during their second postpartum year. Partner-related and traumatic stressful life events were significantly associated with increased risk of postpartum depressive symptoms.
Conclusions: AI/AN women should receive intensive screening for depression through the second postpartum year. Programs that address stressful life events may be part of a plan to decrease postpartum depression.