Relationship between social support and parenting sense of competence in puerperal women: Multiple mediators of resilience and postpartum depression

Abstract

BackgroundMaternal role competence is an important marker of achievement in the role of the mother, but parenting sense of competence (PSOC) among puerperal women is not high. Psychosocial factors, particularly social support, postnatal depression and resilience, have been identified as significant predictors of maternal role competence. However, information is limited regarding the mechanisms through which these psychosocial factors affect maternal role competence.ObjectiveTo evaluate the multiple mediators of resilience and postpartum depression (PPD) in the relationship between social support and PSOC in puerperal women.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary general hospital in Yangzhou, China. A total of 234 puerperal women at 6–8 weeks after birth completed the socio-demographic questionnaires, Social Support Rating Scale, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and PSOC Scale.ResultsResilience and PPD mediated the relationship between social support and PSOC. The mediation effect of resilience and PPD and the total mediation effect were significant, individually accounting for 22.96, 21.70, and 44.65%, respectively, of the total effect. Moreover, pairwise contrast between the two indirect effects was not significant. The difference between the two pathways suggests that resilience and PPD play different roles in the relationship between social support and PSOC.ConclusionsThis study showed that social support may exert its effects on PSOC in puerperal women with multiple mediators of resilience and PPD. This therefore highlights potential intervention targets to improve PSOC.

Is disease activity associated with social support and psychological distress in Crohn’s disease patients? Results of a cross-sectional study in a Chinese hospital population

“…Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression have been studied about CD, 26 but the roles of other factors such as social support have been poorly investigated. The high correlations of social support factors with psychological distress symptoms in patients with CD are consistent with a previous study about other illnesses 27 and indicate that the three factors of social support are likely a concept that reflects another dimension of psychological states. Social support is defined as behavioural or emotional support provided by family members, other people or other groups.…”

Psychometric testing of the Chinese version of the Perinatal Infant Care Social Support tool: a methodological study

“…These forms of assistance are key facilitators for mothers adjusting to their new role [ 16 ]. When Chinese mothers received emotional support and practical help with infant care from family, friends, or professionals, it helped them adapt to stress and emotional challenges during the postpartum period, reducing the incidence of postpartum depression and coping difficulties [ 7 , 8 ]. Furthermore, in Chinese mothers, receiving higher levels of support regarding parenting information and postpartum care needs, including bathing, feeding, and dressing their infants, was associated with fewer postpartum coping difficulties [ 8 ].…”

“…A review of research on social support among first-time mothers in China found that a lack of social support made mothers’ role transition difficult, reduced satisfaction with their maternal role, and decreased their sense of parenting fulfillment, satisfaction, and happiness [ 7 ]. Difficulties in postpartum coping, stemming from inadequate infant care skills, were found to correlate negatively with postpartum social support [ 8 ].…”

“…Difficulties in postpartum coping, stemming from inadequate infant care skills, were found to correlate negatively with postpartum social support [ 8 ]. Furthermore, studies have indicated that mothers experience higher levels of postpartum depression [ 7 , 8 ] and anxiety [ 9 ] when they perceive their social support to be lacking [ 9 - 11 ]. Conversely, higher social support has been linked to improved maternal role performance and easier adjustment to motherhood [ 12 ].…”

“…A review of instruments used internationally to measure social support among Chinese mothers identified a range of assessed support types, such as the kinds of support [ 8 ], sources of social support [ 9 , 14 ], and both the perceived importance and the actual support received [ 15 ]. Additionally, studies have measured objective support, subjective support, and the utilization of social support using instruments specifically designed for the Chinese context and culture [ 7 , 11 ].…”