The relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in Turkey

Abstract Background Adolescent mothers experience more negative conditions, including postpartum depression (PPD), during the postpartum period compared to other mothers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between social support, maternal attachment levels, and postpartum depression among...

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Main Authors: Mehmet Bulduk, Emine Kurt Can, Veysel Can, Nesrullah Ayşin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07703-z
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author Mehmet Bulduk
Emine Kurt Can
Veysel Can
Nesrullah Ayşin
author_facet Mehmet Bulduk
Emine Kurt Can
Veysel Can
Nesrullah Ayşin
author_sort Mehmet Bulduk
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Adolescent mothers experience more negative conditions, including postpartum depression (PPD), during the postpartum period compared to other mothers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between social support, maternal attachment levels, and postpartum depression among adolescent mothers in the at-risk group. Methods The research was conducted at a hospital in the city center of Van, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. After receiving ethical approval and study permissions from the hospital, the Socio-Demographic Data Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were administered to mothers who met the study criteria and volunteered to participate. The study was completed with 150 adolescent mothers. Results The parameters influencing the mean EPDS scores were maternal age and the presence of assistance in infant care. The results showed that as the mean scores of MSPSS sub-dimensions (significant other, family, friends), the total MSPSS scores, and the MAI scores increased, the mean EPDS scores decreased. In addition, according to the regression analysis, both MAI (t=-5.206, p < 0.01) and MSPSS (t=-4.221, p < 0.01) have statistically significant effects on EPDS. Conclusion In conclusion, it is recommended that adolescent mothers, as a vulnerable group, should receive support from social networks such as family, spouse, friends, and neighbors during the postpartum period, with special consideration for the cultural context in which they live. More attention should be given to this group during the postpartum period.
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spelling doaj-art-2d9d14040cd14d3bb2c8130b73f26c7e2025-08-20T03:08:43ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-05-012511810.1186/s12884-025-07703-zThe relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in TurkeyMehmet Bulduk0Emine Kurt Can1Veysel Can2Nesrullah Ayşin3Faculty of Health Sciences, Van Yüzüncü Yıl UniversityFaculty of Health Sciences, Van Yüzüncü Yıl UniversityFaculty of Health Sciences, Van Yüzüncü Yıl UniversityDepartment of Vocational School of Health Services, Hakkari UniversityAbstract Background Adolescent mothers experience more negative conditions, including postpartum depression (PPD), during the postpartum period compared to other mothers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between social support, maternal attachment levels, and postpartum depression among adolescent mothers in the at-risk group. Methods The research was conducted at a hospital in the city center of Van, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. After receiving ethical approval and study permissions from the hospital, the Socio-Demographic Data Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were administered to mothers who met the study criteria and volunteered to participate. The study was completed with 150 adolescent mothers. Results The parameters influencing the mean EPDS scores were maternal age and the presence of assistance in infant care. The results showed that as the mean scores of MSPSS sub-dimensions (significant other, family, friends), the total MSPSS scores, and the MAI scores increased, the mean EPDS scores decreased. In addition, according to the regression analysis, both MAI (t=-5.206, p < 0.01) and MSPSS (t=-4.221, p < 0.01) have statistically significant effects on EPDS. Conclusion In conclusion, it is recommended that adolescent mothers, as a vulnerable group, should receive support from social networks such as family, spouse, friends, and neighbors during the postpartum period, with special consideration for the cultural context in which they live. More attention should be given to this group during the postpartum period.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07703-zAdolescent mothersSocial supportMaternal attachmentPostpartum depressionSpouse supportFamily support
spellingShingle Mehmet Bulduk
Emine Kurt Can
Veysel Can
Nesrullah Ayşin
The relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in Turkey
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Adolescent mothers
Social support
Maternal attachment
Postpartum depression
Spouse support
Family support
title The relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in Turkey
title_full The relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in Turkey
title_fullStr The relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in Turkey
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in Turkey
title_short The relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in Turkey
title_sort relationship between social support and maternal attachment of adolescent mothers and postpartum depression in turkey
topic Adolescent mothers
Social support
Maternal attachment
Postpartum depression
Spouse support
Family support
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07703-z
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