More than half of South Korean mothers go through postpartum depression within the first five years after childbirth, according to a study by Inha University.

Of 1,332 mothers who gave birth in 2008, 60 percent said they suffered from depression at least once between 2008 and 2012.

Some major risk factors for postpartum depression included child care stress, low self-esteem and a poor marital relationship.

Depression during pregnancy, low self-esteem, an unhappy marriage and financial trouble raised the chances of postpartum depression, the researchers said.

The proportion of mothers who experienced severe postpartum depression rose from 6.2 percent in 2008 to 7.7 percent in 2012.

Early identification of the condition and intervention can help improve long-term prognoses for most women, the researchers said, adding that women need support from and involvement in society in the early stages of postpartum depression.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)