The comparison of problem solving and working memory of executive functions in postpartum depression women and healthy women

Postpartum depression is one of the main problems in women's general health, which has a significant effect on the health of mother and child.

The general purpose of this study was to compare the executive functions of problem solving and working memory in women with postpartum depression and women without postpartum depression.

The mothers that referred to Tabriz health centers in 1396, were those who came there 30-40 days after their delivery time. 35 people, who were selected by available sampling method and screened by responding to the postpartum depression questionnaire, were placed in two sample groups; 16 mothers with postpartum depression and 19 healthy mothers matching in terms of age and education. The measuring tools included: Computerized test of the Hanoi Tower for problem-solving and N-Back note test for measuring working memory. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).

The results showed that in executive functions of problem solving and working memory both groups did weaker. It can be said that postpartum depression can create different conditions in terms of cognitive-neurological functions in individuals.

Identifying and understanding these factors can lead to a variety of therapies, in addition to helping them better understanding the disorder.