No abstract

The postpartum period is critical for new mothers, in terms of performing maternal functions, which can be affected by physical or psychological complications. The purpose of the present study is to determine the relationship between maternal functioning and mental health in the postpartum period. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 530 eligible women who referred to health centers in Tabriz, Iran in 2018. The participants were selected through randomized cluster sampling, and data were collected by using a socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, Mental Health Inventory (MHI), and the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF). These assessments were collected between 1 and 4 months postpartum. The relationship between maternal functioning and mental health was determined by conducting bivariate analysis via Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis and the general linear model (GLM) in a multivariate analysis. The mean (SD) mental health score in women was 79.1 (15.0) in the obtainable score range of 18 to 108, and the mean (SD) BIMF score in women was 97.4 (12.9) in the obtainable score range of 0 to 120. Based on Pearson or Spearman correlations, mental health and its sub-domains had positive, significant correlations with infant care, mother-child interaction, mental well-being, social support, management, adjustment, self-care, and maternal functioning (p < 0.001). Based on the GLM, increased maternal functioning was associated with higher total mental health score, having a moderate income, and receiving support for infant care (p < 0.05). High levels of postpartum mental health can have a positive impact on maternal functioning. Additionally, having support with infant care tasks can also improve functioning.

Background: Childbirth experience is a major outcome of labor, which is always associated with some potential psychological advantages or damages. Given the significant impact of childbirth on maternal role and on physical and mental health of mothers, this study aimed to investigate the relationship of childbirth experience with postpartum maternal functioning and mental health of women.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 483 mothers with vaginal childbirth, 4-16 weeks after delivery in health centers of Tabriz-Iran, 2018. The cluster random sampling method was used. The socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, Questionnaire for Assessing the Childbirth Experience (QACE), Mental Health Inventory (MHI), and Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) were completed through interviews and the obtained data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation test, and the General Linear Model (GLM). Results: The mean score of childbirth experience was 1.6 (0.4) within the score range of 1-4. The mean score of mental health was 79.1 (15.0) out of 18-108 and maternal functioning was 97.4 (13.0) out of 0-120. Based on the correlation coefficients, there were significant correlations between the total score of mental health and maternal functioning and all its subdomains with childbirth experience (P<0.001), also based on GLM results, maternal functioning was significantly correlated with childbirth experience (P<0.001), receiving help for infant care (P<0.001) and the adequacy of family income (P=0.006). Mental health was significantly correlated with childbirth experience (P<0.001), complete life-satisfaction (P<0.001), and receiving help for infant care (P=0.025). Conclusion: The results showed significant relationships between childbirth experience with maternal functioning, mental health and all their subdomains. Considering these relationships, it seems that supportive care services offered by health care providers can improve mothers’ birth experiences and consequently lead to improved postpartum maternal functioning and mental health.