Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Christine Pham
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Faculty
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Economic hardship is a significant risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD), a condition with lasting impacts on maternal and child well-being (Agrawal et al., 2022). Although social support is theorized to buffer stress, little is known about whether its protective effects on PPD differ by family structure (Wang et al., 2023).
Objective: The objective of the current study is to examine whether higher social support moderates the association between material hardship and postpartum depression among new mothers and whether this relationship varies across marital status groups (married, cohabiting, single).
Methods: Data will be drawn from Wave 1 of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), a birth cohort study of X families. Analyses will include mothers with complete data on postpartum depression (CIDI-SF), material hardship indicators, perceived social support, and marital status. Logistic regression will estimate whether social support buffers the relationship between material hardship and probable PPD in the full sample. Analyses will then be stratified by marital status to examine whether the buffering effect of social support differs across family structures.
Expected Results: We anticipate that higher material hardship will be significantly associated with greater odds of probable PPD. We also expect that higher perceived social support will attenuate the association between hardship and PPD.
Conclusions: Findings could inform tailored interventions for mothers at risk of developing postpartum depression, particularly programs aimed at enhancing social support for economically disadvantaged mothers, with attention to differences by marital status.
Presentation Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Pham, Christine; Uzoma, Chantal; and Perez, Monica, "Material Hardship and Postpartum Depression: The Moderating Role of Social Support Across Family Structures" (2025). Research Colloquium. 30.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2025/posters/30
Included in
Maternal and Child Health Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Women's Health Commons
Material Hardship and Postpartum Depression: The Moderating Role of Social Support Across Family Structures
Background: Economic hardship is a significant risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD), a condition with lasting impacts on maternal and child well-being (Agrawal et al., 2022). Although social support is theorized to buffer stress, little is known about whether its protective effects on PPD differ by family structure (Wang et al., 2023).
Objective: The objective of the current study is to examine whether higher social support moderates the association between material hardship and postpartum depression among new mothers and whether this relationship varies across marital status groups (married, cohabiting, single).
Methods: Data will be drawn from Wave 1 of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), a birth cohort study of X families. Analyses will include mothers with complete data on postpartum depression (CIDI-SF), material hardship indicators, perceived social support, and marital status. Logistic regression will estimate whether social support buffers the relationship between material hardship and probable PPD in the full sample. Analyses will then be stratified by marital status to examine whether the buffering effect of social support differs across family structures.
Expected Results: We anticipate that higher material hardship will be significantly associated with greater odds of probable PPD. We also expect that higher perceived social support will attenuate the association between hardship and PPD.
Conclusions: Findings could inform tailored interventions for mothers at risk of developing postpartum depression, particularly programs aimed at enhancing social support for economically disadvantaged mothers, with attention to differences by marital status.
