Correlation between postpartum stress and social support in nulliparous women

Social support is very important in women to cope with postpartum stress, to accept the new role, provide a better baby care and maintain the physical and mental health of mothers. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between postpartum stress and social support in nulliparous women who referred to health centers in Zahedan in 2014. In this descriptive-correlational study, 160 nulliparous women who referred to health center in Zahedan to receive postpartum care were selected through convenience sampling in 2014. Data was collected using the demographic questionnaire, “Postpartum Stress Scale” (PSS) and “Postpartum Social Support”. Content validity and reliability of the questionnaire were measured by Cronbach’s alpha. Data was analyzed by SPSS/18. There was a significant inverse relationship between social support of mothers and postpartum stress score (P=0.0001, r=-0.62). According to regression analysis, the score of social support, duration of marriage, newborn gender and ethnicity in total show a 55 percent variation in postpartum stress score. Social support, duration of marriage, newborn gender and ethnicity have an important role in predicting postpartum stress. Therefore, enhancement of social support in postpartum care programs is suggested.