Comparison of Maternal Self-efficacy and Infant Care Behavior Between Mothers with and Without Depression: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects various dimensions of women's lives. The present study aimed to compare infant care behavior and maternal self-efficacy between depressed and non-depressed mothers. Objectives: This case-control study was conducted among 80 (n = 40 per group) postpartum women. Methods: A socio-demographic characteristics form, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Maternal Self-efficacy Questionnaire (MSQ), and Infant Care Behavior questionnaire were used for data collection. Independent t-test was run for data analysis. The mean score of maternal self-efficacy in the depressed group was 29.3 (3.6), and it was 33.0 (3.3) in the non-depressed group, which was significantly higher in the non-depressed group compared to the depressed group based on independent t-test results (adjusted mean difference: -3.7; 95% Confidence Interval: -2.2 to 5.3; P < 0.001). Results: The mean score of infant care behavior was 72.2 (5.2) in the depressed group and 73.0 (9.0) in the non-depressed group, indicating no significant differences between the two groups according to independent t-test (P = 0.627). Conclusions: Depressed women were less self-efficient; thus, given the central role of mothers, some strategies should be adopted to minimize mothers' postpartum physical and mental problems and promote their self-efficacy and infant care behaviors.