Maternal Self‐Efficacy as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Postpartum Depression and Maternal Role Competence: A Cross‐Sectional Survey

• Published in: Journal of midwifery & women's health 2023-07, Vol.68 (4), p.499-506
• Main Authors: Dlamini, Lindelwa Portia, Hsu, Yu‐Yun, Shongwe, Mduduzi Colani, Wang, Shan‐Tair, Gau, Meei‐Ling
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child care; Competence; Cross-sectional studies; Efficacy; Health care; Maternal depression; maternal role; maternal role competence; maternal self‐efficacy; Mental depression; Mothers; Path analysis; postnatal; Postpartum depression; Postpartum period; Primary care; Unemployed people; Unwanted pregnancy; Womens health
• ISSN: 1526-9523; 1542-2011
• DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13478

Introduction This study aimed to (1) examine the relationships among postpartum depression, maternal self‐efficacy, and maternal role competence, and to (2) test whether maternal self‐efficacy mediates the relationship between postpartum depression and maternal role competence. Methods Using a cross‐sectional design, we conveniently sampled 343 postpartum mothers from 3 primary health care facilities in Eswatini. Data were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Maternal Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire, and Perceived Competence Scale. Multiple linear regression models and structural equation modeling were performed in IBM SPSS and SPSS Amos to examine the studied associations and to test the mediation effect. Results The participants were aged 18 to 44 (mean, 26.4; SD, 5.86) years, and the majority were unemployed (67.1%), had an unintended pregnancy (61.2%), received education during antenatal classes (82.5%), and fulfilled the cultural norm of the maiden home visit (58%). Adjusting for covariates, postpartum depression was negatively associated with maternal self‐efficacy (β = −.24, P < .001) and maternal role competence (β = −.18, P = .001), whereas maternal self‐efficacy was positively associated with maternal role competence (β = .41, P < .001). In the path analysis, postpartum depression only related to maternal role competence indirectly through maternal self‐efficacy (β = −.10, P = .003). Discussion High maternal self‐efficacy was associated with high maternal role competence and fewer postpartum depression symptoms, suggesting that improving maternal self‐efficacy may help reduce postpartum depression and may improve maternal role competence.