Post Traumatic Stress Disorder After Delivery : French-Tunisian Cross-cultural Study

Abstract

Background: Motherhood may be associated with psychopathological manifestations. Recent studies have found a link between a traumatic experience of childbirth and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Olde et al, 2006; Denis et al, 2009). According to international literature, 2% of women are at risk to develop postpartum PTSD. The aim of this study is (1) to evaluate the prevalence of PTSD in a French/Tunisian populations and(2) to determine the role of coping strategies. Methods: French and Tunisian participants (n =164) were recruited during the last trimester of pregnancy (T0) and at 2 months postpartum (T1). They had completed measures of perinatal PTSD (PPQ) and coping (brief COPE). Findings: 34.4% of French women and 47.5% of Tunisian women have symptoms of PTSD at 2 months postpartum. Concerning the impact of coping strategies, women using more denial, blame and less positive reinterpretation and expression of feelings presented greather risk of developing PTSD following childbirth. Discussion: In the context of postpartum PTSD, the role of psychological adaptation must be exploser further in order to better understand its development and possibilities of prevention.