Document Type
Dissertation
Publication Date
Summer 6-2025
Abstract
Background: The relationship between postpartum depression and social support is highly supported in research. However, few studies investigated the factors that could intervene with this relationship. The purpose of this research is to investigate how psychological capital (PsyCap) and sense of coherence (SOC) can mediate the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and postpartum depression. Methods: This study analysed data from 217 postpartum women with age range between 25-41(M= 30.12, SD= 3.65). The sample was recruited from public and private hospitals and obstetrics/gynaecology and paediatric clinics in Cairo, Egypt. Data was collected using Arabic versions of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and the Sense of Coherence Scale. v Mediation analysis was performed using multiple linear regression, Hayes’ Process Macro via bootstrapping on SPSS-26 and mediation analysis by structural equation modelling (SEM). Results: The total effect of perceived social support on postpartum depression was significant (β= - .333, 95% CI [-0.438, -0.229], z= -6.247, p< .001). The direct effect was also significant (β= -0.120, 95% CI [-0.210, -0.029], z= -2.596, p= .009). In addition, the total indirect effect of both mediators was significant (β= -0.214, 95% CI -0.287, -0.140], z= -5.670, p< .001), indicating partial mediation by both variables, with PsyCap accounting for 10.5% of the effect of perceived social support on postpartum depression explained variance and SOC accounting for 14.2%. Conclusions: Perceived social support influences postpartum depression through the positive traits of psychological capital (hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism) and sense of coherence. These findings are crucial to designing interventions aimed at minimizing the risk for postpartum depression through developing psychological capital and sense of coherence.
Recommended Citation
Aman, Hana K., "The Impact of Perceived Social Support on Postpartum Depression: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital and Sense of Coherence" (2025). psychology. 8.
https://buescholar.bue.edu.eg/pysch/8