Study reveals alarming prevalence of perinatal depression among Filipino mothers

COCOON PH Team with Australian counterparts

A new study by researchers at Far Eastern University (FEU) revealed important gaps in maternal mental health assistance and shed light on prenatal depression among Filipino mothers.

The publication of "Epidemiological investigation of perinatal depression among pregnant and postpartum women: findings from a cross-sectional survey in the Philippines" in the esteemed medical journal, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open, marks a significant milestone. It is the first major study of perinatal depressive symptoms in the Philippines since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is led by Dr. Joemer Calderon Maravilla, FEU adjunct professor and research fellow at The University of Queensland (UQ), and Joycelyn Abiog Filoteo, faculty member at IHSN-Nursing and current Director of the University Research Ethics Office.

3 in 5 pregnant and postpartum Filipino women experienced clinically significant depressive symptoms

In a nationwide sample of 856 mothers, 69.1% of pregnant women and 62.0% of postpartum women specifically showed signs of perinatal depression, which is higher than the 25% global average. These symptoms include despair, psychological distress, suicidal thoughts, and anhedonia, which is the loss of interest in enjoyable activities. The researchers recorded persistently severe symptoms during every stage of pregnancy and for a full year following delivery.

COCOON Philippine Team

The fact that younger mothers and postpartum women who are single face much higher risks shows that age and social support are significant variables in maternal well-being. Given that women who received high-quality prenatal care appeared to be less likely to have signs of depression, accessible and trustworthy maternal healthcare services are essential. The findings also highlight the need for early mental health support in addition to more comprehensive public health measures that address the broader social and economic conditions affecting Filipino women.

From Philippine research to global impact

over 15 countries, with oversight from Australia's national Stillbirth Centre for Research Excellence. FEU funded and managed this project in the Philippines using expertise from a range of disciplines, including nursing, psychology, epidemiology, and health sciences.

The research team consists of Dr. Jose Edwardo Mamaat, Dr. Ana Nelia Jumamil, Dr. Reinalyn Cardenas, Dr. Wilfredo Quijencio Jr., Dr. Mary Ann Bayani, Dr. Nemencio Santos Jr., Dr. Joyce Lisa Acena, Dr. Anna Liza Alfonso, Ms. Mayla Rivera, Ms. Rebecca Guariño, Dr. Rachelle Sarmiento, Prof. Vicki Flenady, Prof. Frances Boyle, Dr. Siobhan Loughnan, and Dr. Alma Trinidad Taragua.

FEU sees the publication as a step toward elevating mental health to a national concern in addition to being an academic achievement. It provides important local evidence in a topic that has been mostly neglected for decades. The knowledge discovered by FEU researchers enables policies and programs that improve outcomes for Filipino women and their children and bolster maternal mental health support networks.