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

Abstract

IntroductionThis 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.MethodsUsing 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.ResultsThe 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).DiscussionHigh 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.

Family Nursing Care during the Transition to Parenthood: A Scoping Review

“…Various factors, including low social support, poor self-esteem, unpreparedness for pregnancy, family dysfunction, challenging infant temperament, and infant and maternal health issues, are connected to inadequate maternal role competence. In Dlamini and colleagues’ study, mothers who had received antenatal education exhibited better self-efficacy compared to those who had not [ 40 ], emphasizing the importance of this intervention. The studies also found a correlation between strong maternal self-efficacy and increased maternal role competency.…”

“…The studies also found a correlation between strong maternal self-efficacy and increased maternal role competency. Furthermore, this is linked with reduced postpartum depression symptoms [ 32 , 40 ].…”

“…While parenting brings joy and meaning, it also introduces stress and strain, particularly in the early years [ 27 ], potentially leading to mental health impairment. This significantly influences how mothers engage with and care for their infants, impacting their overall ability to nurture them [ 40 ]. Mental health problems during the postpartum period can result in low maternal self-confidence, insufficient maternal caregiving skills, poor self-esteem, family dysfunction, and both infant and maternal health issues [ 40 ].…”

“…This significantly influences how mothers engage with and care for their infants, impacting their overall ability to nurture them [ 40 ]. Mental health problems during the postpartum period can result in low maternal self-confidence, insufficient maternal caregiving skills, poor self-esteem, family dysfunction, and both infant and maternal health issues [ 40 ]. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize comprehensive postpartum care, focusing not only on physical recovery but also on mental well-being [ 40 ].…”

“…Mental health problems during the postpartum period can result in low maternal self-confidence, insufficient maternal caregiving skills, poor self-esteem, family dysfunction, and both infant and maternal health issues [ 40 ]. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize comprehensive postpartum care, focusing not only on physical recovery but also on mental well-being [ 40 ]. Empowering parents to self-identify depressive symptoms is important, and programs such as parenting, psycho-education, and supportive education can play a significant role in this matter [ 18 ].…”