The assesment of the effect of postpartum depression on maternal attachment

This study was planned as a longitudinal analytic study to assess postpartum depression on maternal attachment. The study included 100 women who gave birth at T.C Manisa Merkez Efendi State Hospital Clinic of Obstetrics and Pediatrics between January 1 and February 28 2011, were suitable for study criteria, and agreed to participate to the study. The data were collected in three stages. At the first stage Women's Socio-Demographic and Fertility Features Question Form was applied. At 1st and 3rd months after birth home visits were performed, Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) and Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI) were applied. Women's home visits were completed on 01 June 2011. Study data were analyzed with SPSS Windows 17.0 statistical package. Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney U, student's t-test, paired sample t-test and Pearson correlation tests were used in statistical analysis. The MAI total mean score of the women was found 95.1 ± 13.3 at one month after delivery, 96.6 ± 13.0 at three month after delivery. There was a statistically significant difference was between total mean scores of the MAI the first and third months of postpartum (p<0.05). In the study, postpartum depression was found 19.0% and 10.0% at first and third months, respectively. PPD negatively affects mother- baby interaction. The total mean score of PDSS was found 62.1 ± 25.3 at one month after delivery, 51.9 ± 20.7 at three month after delivery and a statistically significant difference was found between total mean scores of the PDSS in the first and third months of postpartum (p<0.05). There was a good and negative correlation between PDSS and MAI total points both first and third month of postpartum. Lower maternal attachment points were determined in women who had higher postpartum depression points. Postpartum depression negatively affects on maternal attachment. Health professionals should evaluate mother's psychological status in the postnatal period for effect on maternal attachment. Keywords: Maternal Attachment, Postpartum Depression, Depression, Maternal Attachment Inventory