The relationship between perceived social support, self-esteem, and postpartum depression among Saudi women: A correlational cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression is a significant mental health concern affecting many women globally, with potential adverse effects on both maternal and infant well-being. Social support and self-esteem are crucial factors influencing postpartum depression, yet their relationships in the context of Saudi Arabia remain underexplored.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationships between social support, self-esteem, and postpartum depression among women who have recently given birth in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, with convenience sampling targeting women who gave birth within the past six months. Data were collected between January and February 2023 via an online self-administered questionnaire, which included sociodemographic information and three standardized scales: The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS), and The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.

Results: The mean score for postpartum depression was 14.81, with a standard deviation of 6.30, indicating a moderate level of depression symptoms. Significant negative correlations were found between social support and postpartum depression (r = -0.54, p = 0.001) and between self-esteem and postpartum depression (r = -0.63, p = 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between social support and self-esteem (r = 0.53, p = 0.001), highlighting the protective roles of these factors.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of improving social support and self-esteem to reduce postpartum depression risk among new mothers. Midwives and healthcare providers should focus on creating supportive environments and strategies that foster both social support and self-esteem. Such approaches will not only improve maternal mental health outcomes but also contribute to a more sustainable and holistic healthcare system by addressing the root factors influencing postpartum well-being.

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Declaration of Conflicting Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment

None.

Authors’ Contributions

All authors equally substantially contributed to the work design, acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of the data; Drafting or revising it critically for important intellectual content; Final approval of the version to be published; Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Data Availability Statement

The dataset generated during and analyzed during the current study is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

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