The effect of Stress and Perceived Social Support on Postpartum Depression Considering the Mediating Role of Vulnerable Personality in Fathers in Isfahan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Khomeinishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Department of Counseling, Khomeinishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Isfahan, Iran. (Corresponding Author)

Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum depression in men and the risk of adverse effects on the relationship with the child as well as relationships with the spouse are of particular importance. Objective: Therefore, this study aims to predict the birth of a baby in fathers based on stress and perceived social support with respect to the mediating role of vulnerable individuals. done. Methods: This study was a correlational and applied study. The sample consisted of 300 fathers in Isfahan who had a baby in the last six months and were selected as available. Then they answered the research tools including Edinburgh Depression Inventory (1978), Harry Stress Inventory (2005), Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (MSPSS), Zimet et al. (1988) and Boyce et al. (2004) Vulnerable Personality Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling based on the covariance method of AMOS software version 24. Results: The results showed that in the fathers model, except for the path of "perceived stress to postpartum depression" and "social support for postpartum depression", other pathways are significant (p <0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the model of predicting postpartum depression based on stress and social support has a good fit due to the mediating role of vulnerable personality in the group of fathers. The results also showed that all exogenous and mediating variables, namely perceived stress, social support and vulnerability, could predict 25% of postpartum depression in fathers

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