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

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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 (partialr = −.64, p < .001), higher identification with Israeli culture (partialr = −.45, p = .02), and lower quality of romantic relationship were associated with impaired mother–infant bond (partialr = .58, p = .002). Findings highlight the need to establish services to screen and treat PND among this vulnerable population in the receiving countries.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees)—Israel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, P.O.Box 167, 46150, Herzliya, Israel

    Ora Nakash & Maayan Nagar

  2. Gesher Clinic, Yafo Community Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Ido Lurie

  3. Kfar Saba Adult Clinic, Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod Hasharon, Israel

    Ido Lurie

  4. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Ido Lurie

Authors
  1. Ora Nakash
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  2. Maayan Nagar
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  3. Ido Lurie
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Correspondence to Ora Nakash.

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Nakash, O., Nagar, M. & Lurie, I. The Association Between Postnatal Depression, Acculturation and Mother–Infant Bond Among Eritrean Asylum Seekers in Israel. J Immigrant Minority Health 18, 1232–1236 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0348-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0348-8

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