The Association Between Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Postpartum Attachment in a Sample of Predominantly Highly Educated Mothers: A Secondary Analysis of a Cross-sectional Study

Postpartum attachment is a multidimensional construct influenced by maternal and infant-related factors. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with maternal-infant attachment (MIA), with a particular focus on maternal depressive symptoms and maternal self-efficacy (MSE).

This study represents a secondary analysis of data obtained from Turkish validity and reliability studies of the MSE Scale and the Maternal Postpartum Attachment Scale. Participants were mothers who completed these assessments via social media platforms. Maternal depressive symptom levels were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Factors associated with MIA were examined using correlation analyses and multiple linear regression models.

Data from 64 mothers who completed both surveys were evaluated. The infants' ages ranged from 1 to 12 months, with a median age of 6 (3-10) months. Among the participants, 90.6% had at least a university degree. Maternal attachment was positively correlated with MSE (P < .001, rs = 0.46) and negatively correlated with maternal depressive symptoms (P < .001, rs = -0.41). Attachment scores did not vary according to the number of children, education level, or maternal employment status. In the multiple regression model (adjusted R2 = 0.28, F (2,61) = 13.772, P < .001), both depressive symptom levels and maternal self-efficacy were significant predictors of MIA.

This study demonstrates a negative association between maternal depressive symptoms and postpartum attachment in this cross-sectional sample. Future research should explore additional confounding variables and focus on holistic peripartum interventions to improve maternal-infant outcomes.