Associations of husband/family support and economic status with elevated postpartum depressive symptoms
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56922/mhc.v5i5.4340
Economic Status Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Husband/Family Support Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Postpartum Women
Abstract
Background: Postpartum women may experience psychological difficulties during the transition to motherhood, and inadequate social support and socioeconomic conditions may contribute to depressive symptoms. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a screening instrument for postpartum depressive symptoms and should not be used to diagnose postpartum blues.
Purpose: To determine the associations of husband/family support and economic status with elevated postpartum depressive symptoms among postpartum women.
Method: This analytical observational study used a cross-sectional design and was conducted at PMB Lia Maria, Sukarame District, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia. A total of 35 postpartum women were recruited using accidental sampling. Data were collected using a husband/family support questionnaire, economic status data, and the Indonesian version of the EPDS. An EPDS score of ≥10 was classified as elevated postpartum depressive symptoms. Bivariate analysis was performed using Fisher's Exact Test, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
Results: The respondents had a mean age of 27.3 ± 4.2 years (range 20–35 years). Most respondents had good husband/family support (28; 80.0%) and an economic status at or above the regional minimum wage (23; 65.7%). Eleven respondents (31.4%) had elevated postpartum depressive symptoms based on an EPDS score of ≥10. Sufficient husband/family support was significantly associated with elevated postpartum depressive symptoms (p = 0.002; OR = 27.60; 95% CI: 2.69–282.96). Economic status was also significantly associated with elevated postpartum depressive symptoms (p = 0.002; OR = 13.33; 95% CI: 2.42–73.48).
Conclusion: Elevated postpartum depressive symptoms were identified in 31.4% of respondents. Sufficient husband/family support and higher economic status were significantly associated with increased odds of elevated EPDS scores in this sample. These findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size and cross-sectional design.
Keywords: Economic Status; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; Husband/Family Support; Postpartum Depressive Symptoms; Postpartum Women.
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