Abstract
BackgroundNumerous studies suggest that interpersonal relationships and social support influence the development of postpartum depression and sleep quality for women. However, the effect of support from the husband or the mother-in-law has not been thoroughly validated. The current study examined the relative contribution of marital satisfaction, perceived caring of the mother-in-law, and social support on postpartum depression and sleep quality simultaneously in a path model.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2017 in Hebei, China, using a self-report questionnaire. A total of 817 women participated at 6 weeks postpartum. Sociodemographics and information about marital satisfaction, perceived caring of the mother-in-law, social support, postpartum depression, and sleep were collected. Path analysis was used to analyze the cross-sectional data.ResultsThe final model had a highly satisfactory fit. Marital satisfaction and perceived caring of mother-in-law had both direct and indirect effects on postpartum depression through social support, but these two variables had only an indirect effect on sleep quality through social support and postpartum depression. Sleep quality is a consequence of postpartum depression at 6 weeks after delivery. The prevalence of minor and major postpartum depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum was 41.49 and 23.13%, respectively. A total of 371 (45.41%) women experienced sleep disturbance at 6 weeks postpartum.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that interpersonal relationships with family members play important roles in postpartum depression and sleep quality through social support in Chinese women. Improving the relationship between new mothers and their husbands or mothers-in-law and then enhancing social support might reduce postpartum depression and sleep disturbance.
Highlights
Numerous studies suggest that interpersonal relationships and social support influence the development of postpartum depression and sleep quality for women
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Distinguished from postpartum blues and postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as an episode of major depressive disorder or sometimes minor depression that occurs in the postpartum period [1]
Summary
Numerous studies suggest that interpersonal relationships and social support influence the development of postpartum depression and sleep quality for women. The effect of support from the husband or the mother-in-law has not been thoroughly validated. The current study examined the relative contribution of marital satisfaction, perceived caring of the mother-in-law, and social support on postpartum depression and sleep quality simultaneously in a path model. Delivery involves major psychological and social changes in women. These changes may lead to postpartum blues and even postpartum depression (PPD). Given the lasting adverse effects and high prevalence of PPD, great public and professional concern has developed and prompted a call for research to identify risk factors to inform future intervention targets
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