Modeling Factors Affecting Postpartum Depression in Women of Shahreza City, Iran, Using the Path Analysis Method Publisher



Saber F ; Zolfaghari F ; Heidari Z ; Zamani Alavijeh F ; Araban M
Source: Journal of Health System Research Published:2025

Abstract

Background: The postpartum period is a period where the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) generally increases due to the physiological and psychosocial changes that occur. In the extensive review, few studies have examined the combination of factors related to PPD. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the pathways of factors associated with PPD among women attending health centers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to September 2020 on 410 newly postpartum mothers within the 4-week to 2-month postpartum period in Shahreza City, Isfahan Province, Iran. Multistage random sampling was performed among comprehensive health service centers. Data were collected in seven sections, using standard questionnaires, and were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation. LISREL software was also used for path analysis. Findings: According to the results of the present study, the average age of the participants was 29.5 ± 5.5 years and the prevalence of PPD was 13.4%. The results of the path analysis showed that the studied model had a favorable fit. The most direct effect on PPD in a positive direction was related to the variables of perceived stress, hospitalization of the baby in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and perceived violence, respectively, and in the negative direction, was associated with perceived social support and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Marital satisfaction had no significant relationship with PPD. Conclusion: Considering the prevalence of PPD among mothers and its association with psychological factors, identifying susceptible pregnant mothers to PPD and appropriate interventions to reduce the risk factors in this group of mothers or perform therapeutic interventions to control PPD are urgently needed. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.