Characterization of Perceived Social Support During Postpartum and the Presence of Maternal Depression

Abstract

Introduction: The postpartum period is a time of bio-psychosocial vulnerability in women, recognizing the prevalence of postpartum depression in Chile from 27.2 % to 41.3 %. Moreover, social support may be a protective factor for this period.
Objective: to relate the characteristics of perceived social support and the presence of maternal depression in the postpartum period.
Methods: A correlational cross-sectional study was led on 76 healthy women in postpartum period (30 days to 1 year), and without a history of depression. Depressive symptomatology, social support perception, and family functioning were evaluated. A questionnaire of biosocial, obstetrical and relational variables was added, with prior informed consent and authorization from the ethics committee of the health center. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 19.0, using descriptive univariate, bivariate and multivariate a statistical significance level less than 0.05.
Results: Postpartum depression was detected in a 27, 6 %. The association between depressions with social support perception was statistically significant, as family functioning and the relationship with their partners and mothers. Biosocial and obstetric variables were not significant for the presence of depression.
Conclusions: Perceived social support, family functioning and relational aspects with their partners and mothers are protective factors for maternal depression, compared with other variables.