Examining the relationship between labor pain, sense of coherence, and postpartum depression

Examining the Relationship Between Labor Pain, Sense of Coherence, and Postpartum Depression Labor pain is the type of pain experienced due to cervical dilation and contractions necessary for the progression of childbirth. The sense of coherence is a crucial factor that helps individuals manage stress, avoid illness, or recover more quickly if they become ill. Postpartum depression is a type of depression that can occur at any time within a year after childbirth. Factors such as labor pain, sense of coherence, and postpartum depression are significant elements affecting a person's quality of life and overall health. This study was designed to determine the relationship between labor pain, sense of coherence, and postpartum depression. The study was conducted with 366 women at the Obstetrics Department of Kahramanmaraş Necip Fazıl City Hospital from July 2023 to January 2024. Data were collected by means of "Personal Information Form", "Pain Expression in Labor Rating Scale", "Visual Analog Scale", "Revised Emotional Coherence Scale" and "Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale" in the delivery room before delivery and during the hospital visits of the participants at 1, 3 and 6 months after delivery. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Descriptive statistical measures, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were employed in the analysis. The average age of the participants was 24,24 ± 3,52 years, and the average duration of marriage was 2,18 ± 1,49 years. Participants scored 8,06 ± 2,87 on the Labor Pain Expression Rating Scale and 41,06 ± 6,37 on the Revised Sense of Coherence Scale. The participants scored 11.67±4.41, 8.92±3.19, 5.64±2.51 on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale at months 1, 3, and 6, respectively. According to multiple regression analyses, it was determined that as labor pain increased, postpartum depression 1st and 3rd month scores increased, and as the sense of coherence decreased, postpartum depression 1st month scores increased. As a result of the study, it was determined that a significant portion of the participants experienced moderate labor pain, increased labor pain level was associated with postpartum depression, and women with a low sense of coherence were also at risk for postpartum depression. Key words: Pain, depression, childbirth, sense of coherence