Association of Spousal Support With Parenting Self-Confidence and Depression in Primipar Mothers
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Support, Postpartum Period, Parenting. Basic parameters: from 18 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Primipar Annelerde Eş Desteğinin Doğum Sonu Ebeveynlik Özgüveni ve Depresyon Düzeyleri Üzerindeki Etkisi: Kesitsel Bir Çalışma
Overview
The transition to motherhood, particularly for first-time (primiparous) women, is a critical life period requiring substantial psychological and social adjustment. Hormonal changes, increased caregiving responsibilities, sleep disturbances, and potential social isolation during pregnancy and the postpartum period may increase vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health concern that adversely affects maternal well-being, mother-infant interaction, and infant development, with insufficient social support identified as one of its most significant risk factors. Maternal self-efficacy, defined as a mother's perceived competence in caring for and responding to her infant's needs, is a key indicator of successful adaptation to the parenting role. Evidence suggests that maternal self-efficacy develops primarily within the first months after childbirth and tends to be lower in primiparous women. Low parenting self-efficacy has been associated with increased depressive symptoms, higher parenting stress, impaired mother-infant bonding, and negative developmental outcomes for the infant. Among social support sources, partner support plays a particularly protective role during the transition to parenthood. Emotional, informational, and practical support provided by the partner has been shown to enhance maternal self-efficacy, reduce psychological distress, improve marital adjustment, and lower the risk of postpartum depression. Conversely, low perceived partner support and relationship difficulties are associated with an increased risk of PPD in primiparous mothers. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between perceived partner support and postpartum parenting self-efficacy and depressive symptoms in primiparous women. Additionally, the study seeks to evaluate the explanatory and protective role of partner support on maternal self-efficacy and postpartum depression during the early postpartum period.
Primary outcome measures
- Introduction Information Forum [Time frame: At enrollment]
- Parenting Self-Confidence (Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale) [Time frame: At enrollment]
- Perceived Spousal Support measured by the Early Postpartum Perceived Spousal Support Scale [Time frame: At enrollment]
- Postpartum Depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) [Time frame: At enrollment]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusionsd Criteria:
- Aged 18 years or older
- Primiparous mothers (first childbirth)
- Between 0 and 12 months postpartum
- Living with spouse or partner
- Able to read and write Turkish
- Having access to the internet
- Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study
Exclusion criteria
- Diagnosed neurological disorder
- Diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Visual impairment preventing completion of questionnaires
- Cognitive impairment preventing completion of questionnaires
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-only
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Online study — Istanbul
Publications
- Leahy Warren P. First-time mothers: social support and confidence in infant care. J Adv Nurs. 2005 Jun;50(5):479-88. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03425.x. PMID 15882364
- Yılmaz, B., & Oskay, Ü. (2021). Karitane Parent Self-Confidence Scale: Turkish validity and reliability study. Cukurova Medical Journal, 46(2), 801-813.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07376369 · 2025-20/738