Dans les quelques jours qui suivent l’accouchement, un grand nombre de femmes présentent des fluctuations de l’humeur ou « baby blues ». L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer l’influence de différentes variables psychologiques, psychosociales et obstétricales sur l’intensité du postpartum blues. Ainsi, 148 femmes ont complété, trois jours après leur accouchement, une fiche anamnestique ainsi que plusieurs questionnaires : le Maternity Blues de Kennerley et Gath ; le Maternal Self-Report Inventory ; la Perceived Stress Scale et le Sarasonʼs Social Support Questionnaire. Des régressions multiples ont mis en évidence plusieurs prédicteurs significatifs de l’intensité du baby blues : l’estime de soi maternelle, la situation familiale, les antécédents de prescription d’antidépresseurs. Du fait du lien entre le blues intense et la dépression du postpartum, ces indicateurs doivent être pris en compte dans une démarche de prévention.

Within days following birth, most women show signs of mood changes, commonly named baby blues. Baby blues can result in postpartum depression. Hence it appears important to explore in more details the clinical background related to the intensity of postpartum blues. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of psychological, psychosocial and obstetrical factors to the intensity of postpartum blues.

One hundred and forty-eight women participated in the study and completed questionnaires three days after delivery. A questionnaire was built to collect information on psychosocial and obstetrical factors. The Maternity Blues (Kennerley and Gath, 1989) was used to assess postpartum blues. Psychological factors were measured with the Maternal Self-Report Inventory (Shea et Tronick, 1988), the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarch et Mermelstein, 1983) and the Sarasonʼs Social Support Questionnaire (1983).

Four multiple regression analyses were conducted to predict the intensity of postpartum blues by entering psychosocial factors, history of depression, obstetrical factors and psychological and relational factors. Significant predictors (maternal self-esteem, marital status, previous psychotherapic treatment, previous antidepressant treatment) were entered in a multiple regression analysis predicting the intensity of postpartum blues. This model accounted for 31% of the variance in the intensity of postpartum blues (F(4, 143)=17.9; P<0.001). Maternal self-esteem (β=−0.37; P<0.001), marital situation (β=−0.16; P=0.02) were significant predictors. Previous antidepressant treatment (β=0.13; P=0.05) was almost a significant predictor.

The preventive implication of this study is important. Some psychological and psychosocial variables predicted the intensity of postpartum blues and may be used in order to detect women who exhibit risk factors.