About this srcd poster session

---

Panel information
Panel 6. Developmental Psychopathology

Abstract

---

Background and Purpose
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a neglected area of concern in Nepal which is often under-identified, and untreated affecting the health and overall well-being of both mothers and infants. Evidence indicates that PPD can be caused by many factors including adverse birth outcomes, prenatal mental health conditions, and social factors. In addition, PPD is considered a significant risk factor for poor outcomes in multiple domains including mother-infant bonding and developmental outcomes (Dadi et al., 2020; Khemakhem et al., 2020). Although the existing literature examined the link between PPD and mother-infant bonding, limited research to date examined the mediating role of parenting self-efficacy (PSE) in the associations between PPD and bonding among at-risk Low birth weight (LBW) infants. Thus, this study aims to examine the mediating role of PSE in the link between PPD and mother-infant bonding among postpartum women in Nepal. This study also examines the moderating role of birth weight and social support in the link among those constructs. The Social-Ecological model serves as the framework for this study to explore social and perinatal factors associated with postpartum mental health, maternal self-efficacy, and infant outcomes across LBW and NBW infants. This model allows examining the interaction and influence of individual, family, and societal factors (Golden et al., 2015; Scarneo et al., 2019).
Methods: This cross-sectional multisite study used convenience sampling to enroll 200 mothers of LBW and NBW infants from immunization clinics of two tertiary-level hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal. Data were collected via mothers’ self-reports. Study measures include sociodemographic and perinatal factors, the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale, the Karitane parenting confidence scale, and postpartum bonding questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted with demographics and main study variables. Structural equation modeling in AMOS was conducted to examine the research hypotheses.

Results: Participants were ethnically and socioeconomically diverse. The result indicates that LBW, preterm birth, and a lack of social support are associated with PPD. Results also indicated that an increase in PPD scores was positively associated with lack of affection (β=.27) and PPD was negatively associated with self-efficacy (β =-.033). In addition, PPD and low self-efficacy were significantly associated with impaired bonding as evidenced by a lack of affection between the infant and mother.

Conclusions: LBW and lack of social support predict increased PPD symptoms among women. Additionally, higher levels of PPD and lack of PSE are significant predictors of poor mother-infant bonding during 6-12 months of postpartum. These findings support the need for future evidence-based interventions to enhance positive birth outcomes and support for postpartum mothers to reduce postpartum depression and enhance parenting self-efficacy which is foundational for positive infant outcomes during the critical stage of child development.

Author information

Author	Role
Sangita Pudasainee-Kapri, PhD, DNP, RN, APN, FNP-BC, CPN, Rutgers University, School of Nursing-Camden	Presenting author
Tumla Shrestha, PhD, MSN, RN, Tribhuvan University, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus	Non-presenting author
Thomas Dahan, PhD, Rutgers University, School of Nursing-Camden	Non-presenting author
Mary Wunnenberg, EdD, MSN, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC, CNE, Rutgers University, School of Nursing-Camden	Non-presenting author

⇦ Back to session