General and Specific Maternal Cognitions in Postpartum Depression: An Explorative Study

Although the link between cognitive style and vulnerability to depression is well established, the link to postpartum depression has not been extensively investigated and findings are less conclusive. However, recent research focused on the hypothesis of subtypes of postpartum depression associated to general versus specific cognitive vulnerability offers new insights. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore general and maternal specific cognitive vulnerability to postpartum depression. In a cross-sectional design study, 41 postpartum women completed measures of depression, general cognitive vulnerability and maternal specific cognitive vulnerability. Besides supporting the predictive role of general cognitive vulnerability in the onset of postpartum depression, data offered additional information on the role of maternal specific attitudes and cognitions in the onset and maintenance of postpartum depression.