Paper: Predictors of Postpartum Stress (Sigma Theta Tau International's 21st International Nursing Research Congress)

Thursday, 15 July 2010: 3:45 PM

Chich-Hsiu Hung, PhD
School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Learning Objective 1: learn the important factors in women’s postpartum stress

Learning Objective 2: apply service planning and community care for the prevention and amelioration of postpartum stress

Purpose: The transition to motherhood is often accompanied by stress, but research on predictors of postpartum stress is scant. The purpose of this study was to predict important factors in women’s postpartum stress.

Methods: Proportional stratified quota sampling based on births at eleven registered general hospitals and seven specialty clinics in the Kaohsiung area of southern Taiwan was used to obtain a high degree of representation. Eight-hundred-fifty-nine women participated in the study within six weeks postpartum. The Hung postpartum stress scale, the social support scale, and the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire were used in this study.

Results: Women with minor psychiatric morbidity, one or two children, junior college educational level, formula feeding for their infants, preference for an infant boy, and a low level of social support were important predictors for women’s postpartum stress.

Conclusion: The findings of this study provide information and data for service planning and community care for the prevention and amelioration of postpartum stress.

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