The relation between social support and marital satisfaction and couples’ depression after the birth of the first child

Abstract

Aim Child birth can play a major role in parents' mental status and though it is considered as cherished event, it can dramatically jeopardize mental state of parents. Thus, we conducted this paper in order to study the relation between social support and marital satisfaction and couples' depression after the birth of the first child. Methods Statistical population was consisted of 75 couples (parents). They were assessed via Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale, marital satisfaction (ENRICH) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results Regression analysis showed that there was a significant and inverse relationship between social support and depression among men and women after childbirth. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between marital satisfaction and depression among men and women after childbirth. In addition, social support and marital satisfaction can be explained by the predictive role of depression in men after childbirth. But only social support can be predictive for explaining depression in women after childbirth. Conclusion Thus, inadequate social support and low marital satisfaction can put couples at risk of postpartum depression.