Low Social Support is Associated With Postpartum Depression Symptoms Among Illinois Postpartum Women

Postpartum depression (PPD) occurs after delivery, with severity and onset varying by individual. Women with low social support may be at higher risk for PPD. This study examined the association between social support and self-reported postpartum depression symptoms (PDS) among Illinois postpartum women. Using 2016-2020 data from the Illinois Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) (n = 5886), instrumental support (physical, hands-on support) and partner emotional support were each categorized as high/low and were combined in a composite measure (high = high on both types, moderate = high on one type, and low = low on both types). PDS were self-reported. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression. Overall, 9.6% (95% CI = 8.8-10.4) of Illinois postpartum women experienced PDS. Of Illinois postpartum women, 63.5% (95% CI = 62.1-64.9) had high composite support, 29.3% (95% CI = 28.0-30.6) had moderate composite support, and 7.1% (95% CI = 6.4-7.9) had low composite support. After adjustment for maternal characteristics, instrumental support, partner emotional support, and a composite measure of support were each significantly associated with PDS. Compared to women with high composite support, women with low composite support had six times the odds of PDS (aOR = 6.1, 95% CI = 4.5-8.2), and women with moderate composite support had nearly three times the odds of PDS (aOR = 2.7, 95% CI = 2.2-3.4). PDS was associated with instrumental support, partner emotional support, and a composite measure of support in Illinois postpartum women. This suggests the importance of addressing social support for postpartum individuals.