Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression is a significant common health problem that has negative
effects on mental and physical health of mothers and their infants. The main purpose of this study
was to investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being (SWB) and perceived social support
with postpartum depression in new mothers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a descriptive survey design, 200 mothers in the 4th–8th weeks
after delivery, who referred to selected therapeutic centers in Qom Province, were selected by a
convenience sampling method. They were asked to answer the question of the Edinburgh Postnatal
Depression Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, SWB Scale, and Farhangestan
Spiritual Health Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and Chi-square.
RESULTS: The prevalence of postpartum depression in this group was 22%. Pearson correlation
test showed that there was a negative correlation between high level of perceived social support
and SWB with postpartum depression.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that perceived social support and SWB have an
important role in low depressive symptom in mothers during postpartum. This result can help healthcare professionals to pay much attention to social support and SWB as a protective factor against
postpartum depression in postpartum or pregnancy care programs.

Abstract PURPOSE: Postpartum period is a critical interval in which the woman is under risk for psychiatric
disorders including postpartum depression (PD). This study was performed to investigate the impact
of the mode of delivery on the occurrence of PD in primiparous mothers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This correlational study was performed on 244 primiparous
women (aged 15–49 years) in 17 primary health‑care centers. Sociodemographic, obstetric, and
PD‑related data were gathered using questionnaires and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression
Scale (EPDS) on the 1st and 3rd months after delivery. The questionnaires were administered to all
primiparous mothers who were registered to the relevant health-care center. Questionnaires were
administered by the researcher for 25–30 min with face-to-face interview technique.
RESULTS: Comparison of EPDS scores on the 1st and 3rd months indicated that there was a
remarkable decline over time (Z = 11.112, P = 0.001). There was an inverse association between
educational level and EPDS scores on the 3rd month (P = 0.037). On the other hand, no significant
relationship was detected between age groups, occupation, income, place of accommodation, and
EPDS scores. Evaluation of the relationship between obstetric features and EPDS scores revealed
that desired and performed modes of delivery, induction, episiotomy, and spinal anesthesia were
not linked with EPDS scores. The postpartum behavior (2=10.315; P = 0.035) and feeding method
of infants (2 = 6.109; P = 0.013) were associated with EPDS scores on the 1st month, but not with
EPDS scores on the 3rd month.
CONCLUSION: Effective measures must be established for early recognition of factors affecting the
occurrence of PD. Health planners and policymakers must spend their efforts for promotion of the
knowledge and attitudes of mothers during pregnancy. Identification of factors for PD necessitates
implementation of multicentric, controlled trials on larger series.

Abstract Postpartum depression is a debilitating mental disorder with a high prevalence. The aim of this
study was review of the related studies. In this narrative review, we report studies that investigated
risk factors of postpartum depression by searching the database, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect,
Uptodate, Proquest in the period 2000‑2015 published articles about the factors associated
with postpartum depression were assessed in Farsi and English. The search strategy included a
combination of keywords include postpartum depression and risk factors or obstetrical history, social
factors, or biological factors. Literature review showed that risk factors for postpartum depression
in the area of economic and social factors, obstetrical history, and biological factors, lifestyle and
history of mental illness detected. Data from this study can use for designing a screening tools for
high‑risk pregnant women and for designing a prevention programs.

Abstract Background: Postpartum period is the riskiest time for mood disorders and psychosis.
Postpartum depression is the most important mood disorder after delivery, which can
be accompanied by mother-child and family relationship disorders. Meta-analysis with
the integration of research results demonstrates to investigate the association between the mode
of delivery and postpartum depression. Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis uses the
Rosenthal and Robin approach. For this purpose, 18 studies which were acceptable in terms of
methodology were selected and meta-analysis was conducted on them. Research instrument
was a checklist of meta-analysis. After summarizing the results of the studies, effect sizes were
calculated manually and combined based on meta-analysis method. Results: The findings
showed that the amount of effect size (in term of Cohen d) of delivery mode on postpartum
depression was 0/30 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Delivery mode on maternal mental health is
assessed medium. Meta analysis also indicates moderator variables role, and researcher must
focus in these variables.

Abstract Background and Objective: Depression is one of the most common and specific problems
during pregnancy and after it. Maternal postpartum depression compromises mother’s health
and affects social relationship, and has negative effect on infant development. The aim of
this study was to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression and its related factors
in Isfahanian mothers. Materials and Methods: This is a cross - sectional study. The study
populations were 133 women who at the last 8-4 weeks of labor referred to Isfahan health
centers. Demographic information and obstetric and Beck Depression Inventory were applied.
Three categories emerged according to the degree of scale: Mild, moderate, and severe
depression. Statistical analysis was used with the Pearson correlation and linear regression
in SPSS version 18. Results: A total of 73 mothers had mild depression (10-19) and 56 had
moderate depressions (20-29). Among the factors related to depression such as maternal
education, financial status, unwanted pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome, and maternal
occupational history, there was a significant correlation with postpartum depression (P > 0.05).
Variables in the regression analysis include maternal education, financial status, unwanted
pregnancy, history of premenstrual syndrome, maternal occupation, type of delivery, history
of miscarriage, and having a satisfaction with baby gender. And, a total of 27.7% variance
explains the postpartum depression. Among these factors, the predictive variables of maternal
education, type of delivery, financial condition, unwanted pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome,
and maternal occupational history were significant in the meantime; the prediction of unplanned
pregnancy was more than other variables (ß = 0.24). Conclusions: With attention to factors
associated with postpartum depression, the healthcare planner will help to better manage the
problem. The results of this study will help to better understand the factors influencing mothers
in the labor process, and mothers in the labor
process, experiences minimum mental health
disorders.