Depression and fatigue among first-time mothers in Japan

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study assessed depression and fatigue among first-time mothers in Japan who were less than one year postpartum and attended parenting classes. A total of 673 mothers (mean age ± standard deviation = 33.5 ± 3.98 years) participated. The mean Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Subjective Fatigue Symptom Scale (SFSS) scores showed multiple comparisons based on the number of months postpartum and the maternal age. Multiple regression analyses were performed using the EPDS scores as the outcome variable and the SFSS items as explanatory variables. The results showed that current age was inversely associated with the EPDS score (β = −.185, p < .0001) and three fatigue-related variables were positively associated with the EPDS score: lower back pain (β = .201, p = .0014), eyestrain (β = .338, p = .0108), and hand/finger pain (β = .508, p = .0261). The explanatory variable accounting for the largest amount of variance in the postpartum depression scores was lower back pain. Regarding parenting support activities provided by local public agencies, it is important to implement initiatives to promote the mental and physical health of postpartum mothers by partnering with various specialist organizations. The study findings are significant as they reveal, from a fact-finding survey, the inadequacy of support toward mothers after two months postpartum.