Files and links (1)
PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Dissertation
Are symptoms of postpartum depression associated with deficits in facial and auditory emotional recognition?
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2008
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-2828
Abstract
Evidence suggests reduced emotional recognition (ER) abilities in major depression (MD). However, few studies have analyzed facial and ER abilities and negative perceptual bias in postpartum depression (PPD). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of PPD in ER skills. We hypothesized that women with higher levels of PPD would show more difficulties in recognizing facial and auditory emotions, an increased negative perceptual bias, and self-report more difficulties in ER skills toward others and their babies. Also, that higher levels of PPD and lower ER abilities would be associated with increased bonding difficulties between mother and infants. Methods: We assessed 50 women in the postpartum period with a wide range of PPD symptomatology, with a series of facial and auditory ER tasks, an ER self report measure and the postpartum bonding questionnaire (PBQ). We also assessed for anxiety levels, anger, sleep and several peripartum and sociodemographic factors. Participants were recruited from a suburban resource center for new parents. Results: Women with higher PPD levels reported on average fewer hours of sleep in the past weeks, being more sleep deprived, more dissatisfaction with their employment situation, more stress, being angrier, more annoyed, resentful and irritable. PPD levels also correlated with a previous history of MD, and family history of depression. Women with higher levels of PPD had more difficulties in bonding with their babies, and reported more misunderstandings because others misinterpreted what they were feeling. Levels of PPD were not associated with poorer performance on measures of facial and auditory ER or with negative perceptual bias. Levels of anxiety were also not related to these measures. More difficulties with bonding with the infant were associated with more negative bias and poorer performance in some measures of facial ER. Conclusion: Higher levels of PPD were associated with more difficulties in bonding with the new infant, increased anger and more sleep deprivation. Bonding difficulties were in turn correlated with more negative bias in the perception of facial emotions and poorer ER abilities. Level of PPD was not associated with ER abilities, negative perceptual bias or self-reports of ER difficulties.
Metrics
18 File views/ downloads
36 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Are symptoms of postpartum depression associated with deficits in facial and auditory emotional recognition?
- Creators
- Karen Blanc Friedman - DU
- Contributors
- Mary Spiers (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 2828; 991014632417604721