Method: The method of the present study is causal-comparative and the research population consisted of all pregnant women referred to hospitals in Rasht in 1403. The population size was 1347 people, and using the exploratory method and citing similar and previous studies, the sample size was 70 people (35 nulliparous women and 35 multiparous women), who were selected by simple random method and included in the groups. The research tools included the Cohen Perceived Stress Questionnaire (1979) and the Econour and Casey Mental Health Literacy (2015). The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software, using dispersion, frequency, and graph indices in the descriptive statistics section, and multivariate analysis of variance in the inferential statistics section.
Results: The results of statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between the mean of perceived stress and mental health literacy in the two groups of primiparous and multiparous mothers at the level of (P<0.01). There was also a significant difference between perceived stress in primiparous and multiparous mothers (P<0.01). And finally, there was a significant difference between mental health literacy in primiparous and multiparous mothers (P<0.01). Therefore, the research hypotheses were confirmed with 99% confidence.
Conclusion: Considering the effect of psychological variables such as perceived stress and mental health literacy in primiparous and multiparous mothers, paying attention to these factors will be very important in increasing the mental and physical health of mothers and newborns.