The relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in Turkey.

BACKGROUND

Adolescent mothers experience more negative conditions, including postpartum depression (PPD), during the postpartum period compared to other mothers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between social support, maternal attachment levels, and postpartum depression among adolescent mothers in the at-risk group.

METHODS

The research was conducted at a hospital in the city center of Van, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. After receiving ethical approval and study permissions from the hospital, the Socio-Demographic Data Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were administered to mothers who met the study criteria and volunteered to participate. The study was completed with 150 adolescent mothers.

RESULTS

The parameters influencing the mean EPDS scores were maternal age and the presence of assistance in infant care. The results showed that as the mean scores of MSPSS sub-dimensions (significant other, family, friends), the total MSPSS scores, and the MAI scores increased, the mean EPDS scores decreased. In addition, according to the regression analysis, both MAI (t=-5.206, p < 0.01) and MSPSS (t=-4.221, p < 0.01) have statistically significant effects on EPDS.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is recommended that adolescent mothers, as a vulnerable group, should receive support from social networks such as family, spouse, friends, and neighbors during the postpartum period, with special consideration for the cultural context in which they live. More attention should be given to this group during the postpartum period.