Social, Spiritual, and Economic Factors Associated with Postpartum Depression among Indonesian Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study
https://doi.org/10.53770/amhj.v6i2.894
Keywords
Postpartum Depression Maternal Mental Health Social Support Spiritual Support Economic StatusAbstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major maternal mental health problem that affects mother-baby bonding and may hurt child development, with global prevalence rangingfrom 17% to 20%. In developing countries such as Indonesia, PPD is complicated by underdiagnosis, inadequate treatment options, and social stigma. Although social and spiritual support are recognized protective factors and socioeconomic status is a known risk factor, their combined effect in multicultural populations remains understudied. This study aimed to examine the relationship between social support, spiritual support, socioeconomic status, and postpartum depression among postpartum women in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. A cross-sectional design was conducted, with 125 postpartum women recruited from primary health centers and community health posts using a consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected via a structured interview and a questionnaire measuring social and spiritual support, as well as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Statistical analyses included bivariate correlation, multiple linear regression, and multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of high-risk postpartum depression (EPDS ≥13) was 22.4%. Bivariate correlation showed that both social and spiritual support were significantly inversely related to depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that lower social support was associated with almost a ninefold increase in the risk of high-risk depression (OR 8.92, p < 0.001), while low income was associated with a threefold increase in risk (OR 3.01, p = 0.045). Educational level, employment status, and age were not significant predictors after controlling for psychosocial factors. In conclusion, these findings highlight the necessity of implementing routine screening for PPD in primary care and developing culturally sensitive interventions that integrate family, spiritual, and economic support to improve maternal mental health outcomes.
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