The relationship between mother-infant contact time and changes in postpartum depression and mother-infant attachment among mothers staying at postpartum care centers: An observational study

Abstract

This observational study investigated the relationship between mother-infant contact time and changes in postpartum depression and mother-infant attachment. The study population consisted of 101 mothers staying for 14 days at two postpartum care centers in Busan, Republic of Korea. Data were collected from February to March 2018 using a self-administered questionnaire that covered postpartum depression, mother-infant attachment, and included a contact timesheet. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multiple linear regression with bootstrapping estimation. The mean daily contact time was 5.31 ± 1.80 h. The mean postpartum depression decreased from 8.76 ± 7.10 points at admission to 5.16 ± 3.35 points at discharge. By increasing daily kangaroo mother care time by 1 h, postpartum depression was decreased by 4.02 points. However, changes in mother-infant attachment were not related to contact time. Kangaroo mother care was effective in decreasing postpartum depression among the mothers at the postpartum care centers. Nurses working at the care centers should encourage mothers to participate in kangaroo mother care programs. Further studies considering various contacts, such as baby massage or bathing, are recommended.

Keywords: attachment; depression, postpartum; kangaroo mother care method; mother-child relationship; mother-infant contact.