Date of Conferral

6-24-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Magdeline Aagard

Abstract

Maternal depression, including perinatal depression (PND), poses significant public health risks to women, infants, and families. Although routine PND screening is recommended, limited research has examined screening and referrals among military spouses, an underserved population affected by frequent relocations and deployments. This study examined how permanent change of station (PCS) frequency affects PND screening and referrals to mental health services. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model and the CDC’s social ecological model of health, eight research questions explored associations between PCS frequency, PND screening, referrals, and the moderating roles of military branch and deployment status. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used with 117 adult female military spouses aged 18–45 who had given birth within the past two years and experienced at least one PCS during the perinatal period. Participants were recruited through military spouse Facebook groups. Logistic and ordinal regression analyses were conducted, controlling for race, age, education, and income. PCS frequency was significantly associated with higher odds of PND screening (p = .03, OR = 2.01) and referrals (p = .02; OR = 1.52). Military branch (p = .03; OR = 1.50) and deployment status (p = .03; OR = 1.45) moderated these relationships. Findings suggest systemic military stressors influence mental health engagement more than individual characteristics. Implications for positive social change include informing policy and practice to strengthen transition-sensitive PND screening and referral protocols for military families during the perinatal period.

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