Maternal self-efficacy, postpartum depression, and their relationship with functional status in Iranian mothers

Readiness to care for family, infant, and self are important during the postpartum period. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships of self-efficacy and postpartum depressive symptoms with functional status in randomly sampled Iranian mothers (n = 437). The study was cross-sectional and conducted in 2015. The mean (SD) of the total functional status score was 2.3 (0.2) out of a possible score of 1-4. The maximum and minimum scores in infant care were 4.0 and 2.2 and, in social and community activity, levels were 3.5 and 1.0, respectively. Significant inverse correlations were observed between postpartum depressive symptoms and total scores for functional status, self-care, and levels of social and community activity. A significant positive relationship was observed between self-efficacy and functional status and all of its subscales. In the multivariate linear regression model, postpartum depressive symptoms, nulliparity, and low income were significantly negatively related with functional status; maternal self-efficacy, having a spouse aged 26-35 years, high school diploma, lower educational level, and the spouse's job (shopkeeper) were significantly positively correlated with functional status. Early diagnosis and treatment of depressive symptoms and promotion of maternal self-efficacy may improve overall functional status of mothers in the postpartum.