Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) has adverse effects on the mother’s ability to work, her relationships, performance in other roles, and caregiving ability. The aim of this study was to compare levels of maternal functioning between mothers with depression symptoms and those without. The participants of this case-control study included 80 postpartum women (n = 40 with depressive symptoms and n = 40 with no depressive symptoms) referred to health centers in Tabriz, Iran, in 2018–2019. The case and control groups were matched for the number of deliveries (first or second deliveries) and the type of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section). A sociodemographic questionnaire, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) were used for data collection. The relationship between maternal functioning and depression was assessed by conducting independent t-tests and Pearson correlation tests in bivariate analysis and applying the general linear model (GLM) in a multivariate analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of sociodemographic information. The mean (SD) total scores of maternal functioning in the case (depressed) and control (non-depressed) groups were 63.4 (12.2) and 93.3 (13.0), respectively. According to the independent t-test, this value in the control group was significantly higher than that of the case group (mean difference: −30.0; 95% confidence interval: −35.6 to −24.3; p < 0.001). In terms of the domains of the BIMF, based on the independent t-test, the mean score of all domains in the control group was significantly higher than that of the case group, except for the mother-child interaction dimension (p = 0.219). Based on the Pearson correlation test, there was significant negative correlation between the PPD score and total score of BIMF (r = −0.79, p < 0.001) and its domains (r = −0.81 to −0.54, p < 0.001). In addition, based on the GLM with adjusting the sociodemographic and obstetrics characteristics, the score of maternal functioning was significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group [β = −30.1; 95% CI: −36.8 to −23.4; p = 0.001]. The results of this study indicate that women with depressive symptoms have lower maternal functioning. Depressed women may find it difficult to perform their maternal duties and take care of themselves and other family members due to the burden of the depressive symptoms. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression can play an important role in improving daily maternal functioning.
Highlights
During pregnancy and postpartum, changes in physical, emotional, and social dimensions occur
The relationship between maternal functioning and depression was assessed by conducting independent t-tests and Pearson correlation tests in bivariate analysis and the general linear model (GLM) in a multivariate analysis; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant
The results of this study demonstrated that the total, mean maternal functioning score in the group of mothers without depressive symptoms was significantly higher than the mean for the group of mothers with depressive symptoms
Summary
Changes in physical, emotional, and social dimensions occur. Adaptation in postpartum is a complex process and often requires reprioritization on the part of the mother and family members in order to accommodate and care for the newborn [1]. Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common behavioral problems and mental disorders in women of childbearing age [2]. Common symptoms of PPD include depressed mood, mood swings, mild euphoria, irritability, fatigue, confusion, and crying [3,4]. PPD can disrupt the mother-infant relationship, impede the infant’s emotional and cognitive development [5], and delay the child’s long-term mental development [6]. PPD has adverse effects on a mother’s ability to work, her relationships, her performance in other life roles, and her ability to take care of the baby [7,8]
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