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A Comparison of Confidence Levels of Postpartum Depressed and Non-Depressed First-Time Mothers

Ramona T. Mercer's theory of Maternal Role Attainment was the framework that guided this study conducted to compare the maternal confidence levels of the depressed and non-depressed first-time mother 4 months after delivery. A sample of 104 women completed the First-time Mother Questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Maternal Confidence Questionnaire (MCQ). Fifteen (14.4%) of the mothers were considered depressed with a score 12, or higher, on the EPDS. With the exception of age and income, the demographics of the depressed and non-depressed mothers were very similar. Both groups of mothers were also found to have similar personal and family histories for depression, support systems, and perceptions of their support and of their infants. Correlation coefficients using Spearman's rho revealed a negative association between age and maternal confidence (r = -.174). Positive correlations were found between maternal confidence and support system size (r = .241), support satisfaction (r = .319), and perception of infant temperament (r = .405). Negative associations were found between postpartum depression and support system size (r = -.112), support satisfaction (r = -.308), and infant temperament (r = -.201). An independent samples t-test was performed to test the equality mean maternal confidence levels for the populations of depressed and non-depressed first-time mothers. The depressed mother was found to be less confident in her role (t = 2.455, p = .016, df = 102). Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to provide the correlation coefficient for the variable of postpartum depression and maternal confidence(r = -.461; p = .001). Approximately 21% of the information needed to predict depression is being provided by confidence ( r = .461, r2 = .212). / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2004. / Date of Defense: March 18, 2004. / Postpaartum Depression, Maternal Confidence, First Time Mothers / Includes bibliographical references. / Jeanne Flannery, Professor Directing Thesis; Donald R. Workman, Committee Member.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_168125
ContributorsDilmore, Deborah L. (authoraut), Flannery, Jeanne (professor directing thesis), Workman, Donald R. (committee member), College of Nursing (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution)
PublisherFlorida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
LanguageEnglish, English
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, text
Format1 online resource, computer, application/pdf

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