Screening for prenatal depression in women with gestational diabetes: the relationship with self-esteem and social support

Salem Dorra Ben; Yosra Htira; Chaima Jemai; Olfa Laajili; Imene Hedfi; Ali Zohra Hadj; Mami Faika Ben

doi:10.1530/endoabs.110.EP319

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Endocrine Abstracts (2025) 110 EP319 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.110.EP319

ECEESPE2025 ePoster Presentations Diabetes and Insulin (245 abstracts)

Screening for prenatal depression in women with gestational diabetes: the relationship with self-esteem and social support

Dorra Ben Salem ¹ , Yosra Htira ² , Chaima Jemai ² , Olfa Laajili ² , Imene Hedfi ² , Zohra Hadj Ali ² & Faika Ben Mami ²

Author affiliations

¹National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Department of Nutritional Diseases C, Tunis, Tunisia; ²National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Department of Nutritional Diseases C, Tunis, Tunisia

JOINT2570

Introduction: Pregnancy is a period of particular vulnerability, with prenatal depression being the most commonly observed psychopathological disorder. This study aims to assess the presence of depressive symptoms and associated psychosocial disorders in a sample of pregnant women followed for gestational diabetes.

Patients and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a seven-month period in the National Institute of Nutrition. Prenatal depression, self-esteem, and social support were assessed using the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EPDS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ6), respectively. An EPDS score greater than 12/30 indicates the presence of depressive symptoms.

Results: One hundred sixty-three women took part in the study, with a mean age of 33.21 ± 4.82 years, ranging from 22 to 48 years. Half of the participants were beyond 28 weeks of gestation at the time of the interview. The median Edinburgh depression score was 10 ± [6; 14] and depressive symptoms were observed in 61 participants, representing 37.4% of the sample. The mean Rosenberg self-esteem score was 32.94 ± 5 and a low to very low self-esteem level was detected in 26.4% of the women. The SSQ6 perceived social support scale revealed two scores: availability of support (12 ± [9; 16]) and patient satisfaction with the received support (28 ± [20; 31]). The presence of depressive symptoms was significantly associated with low to very low self-esteem levels (47.5% vs. 13.7%, P< 10^-3), lower availability scores (10 ± [8; 13.5] vs. 13 ± [10; 17], P = 0.001), and lower satisfaction scores (26 ± [18; 30] vs. 29 ± [21.75; 32], P = 0.02). Similarly, significant correlations were found between a decrease in the depression score and an increase in self-esteem (r = -0.55; P< 10^-3), availability, and satisfaction scores (r = -0.28; P<10^-3).

Conclusion: Early screening and appropriate management of psychosocial difficulties during pregnancy, particularly low self-esteem and lack of social support, could play a crucial role in reducing depressive symptoms in this population.