Determinants of postpartum depression among mothers: a mixed-method approach
Abstract
Background: Postpartum depression is a growing global mental health problem with long-term impacts on both mothers and their children’s psychological development. Various maternal, familial, and cultural factors may contribute to postpartum depression.
Objective: This study aimed to identify risk factors that influence postpartum depression among postpartum mothers.
Methods: This study employed a mixed-method design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative phase analyzed risk factors of postpartum depression, while the qualitative phase explored significant factors identified from the quantitative analysis. The study involved 70 postpartum mothers from the working area of Padangmatinggi Public Health Center, Padangsidimpuan City, selected using consecutive sampling. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Qualitative data were obtained via in-depth interviews and analyzed descriptively with thematic analysis.
Results: Child’s gender (p = 0.014; OR = 0.205; 95% CI: 0.0560–0.727) and Parity (p = 0.034; OR = 0.249; 95% CI: 0.069–0.903) were found to be significant determinants of postpartum depression. Mothers with high self-efficacy tended toward postpartum depression. Qualitative findings indicated that families prefer sons due to cultural influences. Multiparous mothers have experience caring for infants, making them more capable of managing emotions and seeking solutions when caring for infants. Maternal
Conclusion: Child’s gender, parity, and maternal self-efficacy were important factors influencing postpartum depression. Strengthening health promotion related to gender acceptance, newborn care, and maternal self-efficacy is recommended to improve the mental well-being of postpartum mothers.
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