Dados do Trabalho

Título

Psychological Consequences of Sleep Deprivation in Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review

Introdução

For women, sleep well is really significant issue during the postpartum period, which is important for both maternal and newborn health. This time is marked by new challenges, which requires strength to combat possible hormonal changes and the difficulties that caring for a newborn entails combined with lack of rest. This systematic review explores the psychological sequelae of sleep deprivation specifically in postpartum women related to emotional disturbances, mood disorders and general mental health.

Objetivo

The objective of this review is to determine psychological effects, mood disorders, anxiety and depression in the post-natal period after sleep deprivation.

Métodos

This is a systematic review of studies from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science published in the past five years. Keywords included “sleep deprivation,” “postpartum women,” “psychological effects,” and “mood disorders.” Was included peer-reviewed articles and relevant books, adhering to PRISMA guidelines for methodological rigor.

Resultados

10 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings are summarized as follows:

1. Mood Disorders: Sleep deprivation is strongly associated with mood disorders. Leach et al. (2019) and McCauley et al. (2021) found that lack of sleep exacerbates symptoms such as sadness, irritability, and worry, leading to decreased emotional well-being.
2. Increased Risk of Postpartum Depression: Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a higher risk of postpartum depression. Okun et al. (2019) and Zhang et al. (2019) observed that insufficient sleep worsens depressive symptoms and increases susceptibility to severe depressive disorders.
3. Anxiety and Stress: Sleep deprivation can induce or worsen anxiety and stress. Research by Nystrom et al. (2020) and Yeo et al. (2021) suggests that inadequate sleep disrupts stress responses and emotional regulation, resulting in elevated levels of anxiety and stress.

The review has confirmed that sleep deprivation influences the psychological wellbeing of postpartum women, mainly in mood disorders, anxiety and stress. Enhanced quality of sleep is indispensable factor for the mental well-being of new mothers.

Conclusões

The psychological effect of sleep deprivation on postpartum women generally are well established; This review results emphasize the need for unique interventions that will target both continued accumulation of sleep debt and improved mental health and quality-of-life during in those early months after delivery.

Palavras -chave

sleep deprivation, postpartum, psychological effects