The effect of problem solving skills training on severity of depression symptoms in postpartum period

Postpartum depression is a problematic and major disease، with the average prevalence of 13 percent، if not diagnosed and treated may be complicated. Problem solving skills training is one of simple treatments that could be trained in health centers. Therefore، this study was conducted to determine the effect of problem solving skills training on severity of depressive symptoms in postpartum women. This clinical trial was performed (during Jan 2009-Jun 2010) on 54 women after delivery from health centers of 2nd and 3rd zones of Mashhad. Women who fulfilled inclusion criteria and got the score of 10 or above on Edinburgh Scale and got score of 14 to 28 on Beck Depression Inventory and their depression was confirmed by clinical psychologist، were randomly allocated to two groups of intervention (n=26) and control (n=28). In the intervention group، problem-solving skills were educated during six sessions of 45-50 minutes. In both groups، again، Beck Depression Inventory was completed in 9 weeks after delivery. Statistical analysis was done by one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis in SPSS software. The finding showed that severity of depressive symptoms are significantly different at 9 weeks postpartum between two groups (P=0. 000). The mean difference of severity of depressive symptoms are significantly different between two groups in the beginning of research and 9 weeks after delivery (P=0. 000). Depressive symptoms were decreased about 77. 6% in problem solving skills group comparing 23. 5% in control group. Based on this study، problem-solving skills training is an effective method in reducing the severity of depressive symptoms. Therefore it is recommended that problem-solving skills training could be used as one of the mental health strategies in health centers.