POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND ITS RELATION TO SOCIAL SUPPORT AND MARITAL SATISFACTION

Objectives: The postpartum period is considered a time when mothers, living in stressful situations, are at higher risk of developing mental health issues. This could have long term health and well-being implications, in particular for women who experience postpartum depression who are more likely to develop depression later on in life. Aim: To assess the prevalence of postpartum depression following child birth and its relationship with social support and marital satisfaction. Study participants: A convenience sample of 185 postpartum women at approximately 10 weeks post-delivery was recruited to the study. The study was conducted at four Maternal and Child Health Centres, in KSA Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was used and data was collected on demographics, education level, parity, marital and estimates of experiencing depression symptoms using the Beck's Inventory scale Results: The research findings comprised of varied qualitative and quantitative outcomes in relation to socio-demographics and mental health history. Conclusion: A significant proportion of mothers, in the early childbirth period, experience PPD and this are correlated with lower levels of social support and marital relation satisfaction. Nurse interventions could target these issues to help prevent mothers in the early childbirth period from experiencing episodes of depression.