Postnatal depression (PND) is a significant public health issue, with variable
prevalence and a dearth of research on risk and protective factors. This
quantitative longitudinal study of 512 first-time mothers identified the prevalence
of PND and examined the relationships between functional and
structural social support at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. The prevalence of
PND was 13.2% at 6 weeks and 9.8% at 12 weeks. At 6 and 12 weeks, the
only social support dimension independently associated with PND was total
functional social support. At-birth formal structural support and emotional
functional support were independently predictive of PND at 12 weeks