Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Forghani Hospital Research Development Committee, Qom University of Medical Sciences

2 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Neuroscience Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences

4 Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

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.

Keywords

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