Evaluation of maternal function and psychological distress in primiparous women

A healthy postpartum period is essential for the biological and psychological well-being of both mother and baby. While new mothers may experience joy and excitement, they may also face stress and anxiety. Compared to multiparous women, primiparous mothers often have less experience with infant care and maternal roles, which can lead to greater challenges and psychological difficulties such as sleep disturbances, breastfeeding issues, or exacerbation of existing mental health problems. Protecting maternal and infant health is vital to public health, and studying different maternal populations contributes to building a healthier society. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine maternal functioning and psychological distress in primiparous women. The sample consisted of 391 first-time mothers who applied to the Cumhuriyet Family Health Center located in the city center and affiliated with the Çankırı Provincial Health Directorate. Data were collected between February and April 2024 using the Personal Information Form, the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10-PSÖ). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 25.0. Results showed that 48.8% of the participants were aged 23–27, 56% were high school graduates, 36.1% were employed, and 78.8% reported sufficient income. Most had planned pregnancies (89%), 70.1% delivered via cesarean section, and 50.9% had received information on infant care. Maternal functioning was found to be at a moderate-to-high level, while psychological distress was low-to-moderate. Psychological distress varied significantly by age, marriage duration, partner harmony, planned pregnancy, spouse's education, social security, and infant care education. Maternal functioning was influenced by income, marriage duration, partner harmony, pregnancy planning, delivery mode, and support in infant care. A significant negative correlation was found between maternal functioning and psychological distress (r = –0.168; p < 0.01), indicating that better maternal functioning is associated with lower levels of psychological distress.