The effect of postpartum depression on father-infant attachment in mothers with 0-1 years old infants

Objective: The study aimed at determining the effect of maternal depression on father infant attachment in the postpartum period done analytically and cross-sectionally Method: Between 01.01.2018 - 31.01.2018, a total of 781 parents of 0-12-month-old babies served in 4 family health centers in Bulancak District of Giresun province, and 207 mothers and 207 fathers with 0-12-month-old babies selected from this universe. Data Analysis; The Descriptive Information Form, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Father-Infant Attachment Scale (BBS) were used. Data were analyzed using: mean, ± standard deviation and median, Shapiro-Wilk; Kolmogorov Smirnov; t test; one-way analysis of variance; Mann Whitney U test; Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance and Spearman Correlation Analysis. Results: It was determined that 18.3% of the mothers were at risk for postpartum depression and the mean total score of the EPDS was 7.19 ± 5.17. The descriptive and some paternity characteristics of fathers were determined by EPDS; Comparison of the total and sub-dimensions of the MCQS with the EPDS scores was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). There was a statistically significant (p <0.05) and very weak negative correlation (r=-0.15; r=-0.181) between the EPDS scores and the sub-dimensions and total scores. It was found that there was a statistically significant (p <0.05) comparison of BBQS scores and the fathers' age, educational status, paternity status, relationship with spouse and father's self-identification. Keywords: Postpartum Depression, Bonding, Father-Infant Bonding, Midwifery