Thesis Title: Childcare Stress, Stressful Life Events and Attribution Styles in Women with Postpartum Depression
Author Name: Huma Altaf
Supervisor: Rafia Rafique
Year: 2017
Degree: MSC
Department: Institute of Applied Psychology
University: Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
Abstract
The present study investigated childcare stress, stressful life events and cognitive attribution styles (locus, stability, controllability and globality) in women with postpartum depression (PPD). A correlational research design was used in the present research. Through purposive sampling technique, a sample of women (N = 110) screened with PPD from hospitals situated in Lahore was recruited. The Urdu versions of demographic information sheet, The Edinburgh Postnatal depression scale (EPDS) (Cox, Holden, Sagovsky, 1987), Parental Stress Scale (Berry & Jones, 1995), Impact of Event Scale (IES) (Horowitz, Wilner, Alvarez, 1979) and Attributional Style Assessment Test (ASAT-III) (Anderson, 1999) were used to assess the study variables. Data was analyzed by employing Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis and Multiple Hierarchical Regression Analysis. Results of the present study suggested that childcare stress was positively related and was a significant predictor of PPD in women. Among the attribution styles, locus and controllability mediated the relationship between childcare stress and stressful life events in women with PPD. The following research raises implication for clinical practice and suggests an approach that aims to focus on the management of PPD in women inculcating psycho-education and counseling to improve their stress coping skills.
Keywords:
Childcare stress, stressful life, attribution styles, postpartum depression.
