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Perinatal depressive symptoms and breastfeeding behaviors: A systematic literature review and biosocial research agenda
- Source :
- J Affect Disord
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Background Breastfeeding is recommended to improve maternal and infant health globally. Depression has been posited to negatively impact breastfeeding, although potential causal and bidirectional pathways between these two phenomena have not been sufficiently characterized. We therefore conducted a systematic review to critically evaluate available evidence on the relationship between perinatal depressive symptoms and breastfeeding behaviors; to identify knowledge gaps and propose a biosocial research agenda to advance our understanding of this topic. Methods A systematic search strategy was applied across seven databases. Data were extracted and aggregated using the matrix method to provide a narrative synthesis of findings. Results Thirty-eight studies from 20 countries spanning 1988 through 2018 fit the inclusion criteria. In general, methods across studies were heterogeneous. Fourteen different tools were used to measure perinatal depressive symptoms. Nearly half the studies did not provide breastfeeding definitions. No studies from low-income countries met inclusion criteria. More than half (63%) of studies demonstrated a negative association between depressive symptoms across the perinatal period and less exclusive breastfeeding and/or shorter breastfeeding durations. Limitations Heterogeneity in study design, definitions, assessment tools, and measurement time points limited the comparability of study findings. Causality cannot be assessed. Conclusions Available evidence suggests perinatal depressive symptoms negatively associated with breastfeeding exclusivity and duration, which can lead to suboptimal infant nutrition and detrimental impacts on maternal mental and physical health. To better understand this relationship, we propose including consistent operationalization and assessment of depression and breastfeeding globally and concurrent repeated measures of key biological and social factors.
- Subjects :
- Time Factors
Breastfeeding
Article
Depression, Postpartum
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Pregnancy
Humans
Poverty
Depression (differential diagnoses)
Operationalization
Depression
Infant
Repeated measures design
Causality
Biosocial theory
030227 psychiatry
Psychiatry and Mental health
Clinical Psychology
Breast Feeding
Systematic review
Female
Psychology
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Perinatal Depression
Clinical psychology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 01650327
- Volume :
- 283
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....a260d7119d2d4cc850438eb1700aa83f