Mood changes in mothers and fathers through childbearing: Are the blues so blue?

Mood state and mood lability were assessed over a nine month period in a sample of primiparous (n = 42) and multiparous (n = 44) childbearing couples. Positive mood, negative mood and mood lability were measured in the second and third trimester, ten days after parturition, and three months postpartum. Results indicated that the immediate postpartum was the peak period of positive affect for both primiparous and multiparous mothers and their male partners and was also the peak period of negative affect and mood lability for primiparous women. It is argued that the results do not support the 'maternity blues' hypothesis that the immediate postpartum is characterised by labile dysphoric mood. Rather, mood in this period may better be described as a mixed affective state with elevated levels of both positive and negative mood.