The effect of social support received during COVID-19 pandemic on maternal functioning status and postpartum depression risk

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many mental health problems such as fear, anxiety and depression as well as physical health problems. Individuals from every age group and every segment of society have been adversely affected by these problems. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of mothers' social support status on maternal functional status and postpartum depression risk during the COVID-19 pandemic process and to examine the relationship between them. The research was carried out descriptively and collaboratively with 384 women who gave birth at Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital between 15 March and 15 June 2020. Research data were collected by contacting phone numbers between March 2021 and December 2021, after obtaining the necessary written permission from the institution and the approval of the ethics committee. Introductory information form, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and Barkin Maternal Function Scale were used during data collection. SPSS program was used to evaluate the data. In statistical analysis; analysis of normality, independent t-test for the difference between two independent groups, one-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni, Pearson correlation and simple and multiple linear regression analysis were applied. In our study, the mean score of the mothers on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was 15.86±2.72, the mean score of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was 30.92±9.22, and the mean score of the Barkin Maternal Function Scale (BIMF) was 62.22±10.91. Accordingly, it was found that mothers were in the risk group for postpartum depression, social support was below the average according to the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and the maternal functional status was above the average according to the Barkin Maternal Functioning Scale. However, it was determined that the functional status decreased compared to the pre-pandemic period. It was found that there was a negative and moderate correlation between the MSPSS scores of the mothers and their EPDS scores, a positive and high level correlation between MSPSS scores and BIMF, and a negative and moderate correlation between EPDS scores and BIMF. It has been determined that as the social support of mothers increases, the risks of postpartum depression decrease and maternal functions increase. It has been determined that social support has a significant effect on the risk of postpartum depression and maternal function in the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result; In this study, it was found that social support was effective in reducing the risk of postpartum depression and increasing maternal functions during the COVID-19 pandemic process.