The Association Between Postnatal Depression, Acculturation and Mother-Infant Bond Among Eritrean Asylum Seekers in Israel

J Immigr Minor Health. 2016 Oct;18(5):1232-1236. doi: 10.1007/s10903-016-0348-8.

Abstract

We examined the association between postnatal depression (PND), acculturation and mother-infant bond among 38 Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel, who were within 6 months of delivery. Participants completed a survey in their native language. A high rate of women (81.6 %) met the clinical threshold for PND on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Higher severity of PND (partial r = -.64, p < .001), higher identification with Israeli culture (partial r = -.45, p = .02), and lower quality of romantic relationship were associated with impaired mother-infant bond (partial r = .58, p = .002). Findings highlight the need to establish services to screen and treat PND among this vulnerable population in the receiving countries.

Keywords: Acculturation; Asylum seekers; Attachment; Eritrea; Postnatal depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Adult
  • Depression, Postpartum / diagnosis
  • Depression, Postpartum / ethnology*
  • Eritrea / ethnology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Israel
  • Mother-Child Relations / ethnology*
  • Mother-Child Relations / psychology*
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Refugees / psychology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vulnerable Populations / ethnology
  • Vulnerable Populations / psychology