Turkish validity and reliability of the postpartum stressors scale

This study was conducted to examine the validity and reliability of the Postpartum Stressor Scale (PPSS) in Turkish.177 women were included in the methodological study. The data were collected between 24 September 2018 and 24 January 2019. The validity and validity of PPSS according to the language validity and expert opinions was provided by the translation-back translation method. It was determined that the Turkish form of the PPSS did not occur in three sub-dimensions such as the original structure. Therefore, the factor loadings of the PPSS one-dimensional scale ranged from 0.481 to 0.678, and the explained variance (35.3%) was sufficient. According to the results of CFA, factor loadings of the model ranged from 0.40 to 0.64, and t values of all substances were above 1.96. As a result of structural equation modeling. The obtained fit index values of the scale were found to be x2/SD 1.88, GFI 0.93, AGFI 0.88, CFI 0.95, RMSEA 0.071 and SRMR 0.065, and the model was acceptable. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of PPSS was 0.76. In all items of PPSS, item total score correlations were found to be over 0.30 and there was no need to exclude item from the scale. PPSS was determined as a reliable and valid tool for Turkish society. There was a positive significant correlation between PPSS and PSS (p = 0.000). When the mean scores of lower 27% and upper 27% were compared, statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p = 0.000). The mean score of PPSS was 16.67 ± 5.74. As a result of the study, it was determined that the Turkish version of PPSS was a valid and reliable measurement tool.

The effect of perceived social support on postpartum stress: the mediating roles of marital satisfaction and maternal postnatal attachment

BACKGROUND

Multiple factors may be responsible for the development of postpartum stress, including perceived social support, marital satisfaction, and maternal postnatal attachment. However, the underlying mediation mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined the complex relationships between perceived social support and postpartum stress among Chinese women.

METHODS

A convenience sample comprising 406 postpartum women was recruited from six hospitals in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China. The participants completed general survey questionnaires and were evaluated using the Maternal Postpartum Stress Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale, and the Marital Satisfaction Scale. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between postpartum stress and the various influencing factors by performing a multiple linear regression analysis. The potential mediating roles of marital satisfaction and maternal and infant attachment in the association between perceived social support and postpartum stress were explored by performing a mediation analysis.

RESULTS

According to the multivariate regression analysis, perceived social support, marital satisfaction, and maternal postnatal attachment contributed to postpartum stress levels (P < 0.05). The mediation analysis revealed that marital satisfaction and maternal postnatal attachment played parallel mediating roles in the association between perceived social support and postpartum stress, and the mediating effect of marital satisfaction was - 0.1125 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.1784 to -0.0520), accounting for 33.20% of the total effect, and the mediating effect of maternal postnatal attachment was - 0.0847 (95% CI: -0.1304 to -0.0438), accounting for 25.00% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that perceived social support could influence postpartum stress not only through direct effect (41.80% of the total effect), but also through the indirect effect (mediation effect) of marital satisfaction and maternal postnatal attachment (58.20% of the total effect), suggesting that improving postpartum women's social support, enhancing maternal and infant attachment, and improving their marital satisfaction could help lower postpartum stress.

Maternal stress in the postpartum period is associated with altered human milk fatty acid composition

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Maternal stress in the postpartum period affects not only the mother, but also her newborn child who is at increased risk for a wide range of disorders later in life. The mechanisms underlying transmission of maternal stress to the child remain elusive. Human milk (HM) is a potential candidate and is an important source of fatty acid (FA), which are crucial for child (neuro)development. This study aims to investigate whether maternal psychological and biological stress influences HM FA composition over the first month postpartum.

METHODS

The Amsterdam Mother's Milk study is a prospective cohort study. We included lactating women who delivered at term with a large range of stress levels: a high stress (HS) group, women whose child was hospitalized for a minimum of 2 days (n=23) and a control (CTL) group, women who gave birth to a healthy child (n=73). HM was collected three times a day at postpartum days 10, 17 and 24. Perceived psychological stress was measured using multiple validated questionnaires, while biological stress measures were based on cortisol in hair, saliva and HM. HM FAs were analyzed by gas-chromatography and compared between groups.

RESULTS

Maternal perceived stress scores were significantly higher in the HS group (p < 0.01), whereas cortisol measurements did not differ between groups. The absolute concentrations of total FA in HM (p=0.023), including the total amount of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (p=0.022) and omega-6 PUFAs (p=0.018), were lower in the HS group compared to the CTL group. Relative values of FAs did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSION

Maternal stress in the first month postpartum was associated with overall lower levels of FA in HM. This possibly indicates a route of transmission of maternal stress signals to the infant. Future research should investigate if these stress-induced changes in HM FAs have consequences for child development.

First-Time Mothers Psychiatric Health Status During the Transition to Motherhood

The study was conducted to examine the changes of first-time mothers' psychiatric health status, social support, marital intimacy, postpartum stress, and maternal attachment during the transition to motherhood. A repeated measures study was conducted at the 36th week pregnancy, the first week postpartum, and the fourth week postpartum with 217 primiparous women. The results showed that the proportion of women with minor psychiatric morbidity declined over time from late pregnancy to early postpartum. The levels of marital intimacy and social support was the highest at the fourth week and the first week postpartum, respectively. Maternal attachment increased and postpartum stress decreased from the first week to fourth week postpartum. Women with minor psychiatric morbidity reported significantly higher postpartum stress than women without minor psychiatric morbidity. Identifying women with psychiatric morbidity in advance, and providing social support during late pregnancy would be effective strategies to enhance first-time mothers' adjustment to the transition of motherhood.

Comparing Taiwanese women's biopsychosocial features by location of postpartum recovery

BACKGROUND

In Taiwan, a culturally sanctioned ritual of maternal rest and recuperation has been traditionally practiced patrilocally during the first postpartum month. However, in recent years, the places where women may observe the ritual have become more diverse.

AIM

Our goal was to compare women's psychosocial features based on where they stayed during their postpartum recovery.

METHODS

Using proportional stratified quota sampling of 18 hospitals and clinics in Taiwan by birth rate, we recruited 784 postpartum women.

RESULTS

Women stayed in their own home (17.1%), with their parents-in-law (33.3%), with their parents (36.0%), or in a postpartum nursing center (13.6%). Women who stayed in their own residence or who stayed in their parents' residence perceived greater social support than women who stayed with their parents-in-law.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research should compare women's adjustment to motherhood and their competence in childcare based on where they stay during postpartum recovery.