First time mothers' anxiety and depressive symptoms across the transition to motherhood: associations with maternal and environmental characteristics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine demographic, environmental, belief, and personality factors related to maternal well-being as a part of a comprehensive project. In this study, maternal well-being was measured as prenatal anxiety and postnatal depression. A total of 200 pregnant women participated in this study. Women were included who were married, pregnant with a first child, working full time before conception and over the age of 20 years. The participants were selected from university hospitals and birth clinics in Ankara, Turkey. Participants were interviewed at 6-8 months of pregnancy and at 6-8 months after the birth. Each interview included structured items to measure relevant variables and lasted approximately 45-60 minutes. Results revealed that in the prenatal period lower maternal income, self-esteem and self-efficacy were significantly associated with prenatal maternal anxiety. In the postnatal period, maternal depressive symptoms were significantly associated with unplanned pregnancy, higher anxiety, perceived lower satisfaction with paternal physical support, and negative maternal attitudes toward employment. Findings indicated that prenatal high anxiety might be an adverse risk factor for postnatal well-being of mothers. In conclusion, both common and culture-specific factors related to prenatal and postnatal maternal well-being might assist with maternity and early care policies in this culture.