Citation

Kennedy SC, Tripodi SJ. Affilia 2015; 30(1): 96-105.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886109914544719

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a serious mental health issue associated with maternal suicide and infanticide. Although a growing research base suggests that childhood abuse is predictive of psychosis, bipolar disorder, and postpartum depression, the link between abuse and PPP is less clear. Currently, prevention and treatment strategies are pharmacological and require hospitalization once symptoms arise. Unfortunately, these strategies are not ideal for affected women and their infants. Testing the relationship between experiences of childhood abuse and PPP may reveal abuse variables to be both statistically and clinically meaningful predictors of the disorder. A dose-response model suggests that women who report more severe abuse or multivictimization will be more likely to develop PPP. The authors suggest trauma screening in psychiatric, obstetrical, and community practice settings to identify women at risk for PPP and advocate for the addition of gender-responsive and trauma-focused psychotherapy to pharmacological interventions for this population. © The Author(s) 2014.

Language: en

Keywords

dose response; postpartum psychosis; childhood abuse; motherhood