Factors Associated with Baby Blues Syndrome among Postpartum Mothers at a Maternal and Child Hospital in Indonesia

Fauziah Botutihe; Nur Halimah; Seftiana Dewi; Alamsyah Alamsyah; Riska Riska

doi:10.55606/ijhs.v6i1.6798

Authors

Fauziah Botutihe Institut Ilmu Kesehatan Pelamonia Kesdam VIX/Hasanuddin
Nur Halimah Institut Ilmu Kesehatan Pelamonia Kesdam VIX/Hasanuddin
Seftiana Dewi Institut Ilmu Kesehatan Pelamonia Kesdam VIX/Hasanuddin
Alamsyah Alamsyah Institut Ilmu Kesehatan Pelamonia Kesdam XIV/Hasanuddin
Riska Riska RS. TK. II Pelamonia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55606/ijhs.v6i1.6798

Keywords:

Baby Blues Syndrome, Family Support, Husband Support, Occupational Status, Postpartum Mothers

Abstract

The postpartum period is a critical transitional phase that involves substantial physical recovery and psychological adaptation for mothers following childbirth. During this period, many women experience emotional disturbances, one of the most common being baby blues syndrome. Baby blues syndrome is characterized by mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety, irritability, and emotional instability that typically occur within the first week after delivery. Although often considered a mild and self-limiting condition, unresolved baby blues may progress into postpartum depression, leading to adverse consequences for maternal well-being, infant development, and family functioning. This study aimed to analyze factors associated with baby blues syndrome among postpartum mothers at a maternal and child hospital in Makassar, Indonesia. A quantitative analytical study with a cross-sectional design was conducted involving 50 postpartum mothers selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and structured questionnaires assessing occupational status, husband support, and family support. Data analysis was performed using Fisher’s Exact test with a significance level of 0.05. The findings revealed that 82% of respondents experienced baby blues syndrome. Statistically significant associations were identified between occupational status (p = 0.000), husband support (p = 0.000), and family support (p = 0.000) with the occurrence of baby blues syndrome. In conclusion, occupational and psychosocial factors play a crucial role in the development of baby blues syndrome. Strengthening family-centered support and implementing early psychological screening during the postpartum period are recommended to prevent more severe maternal mental health problems.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Afrina, R., & Rukiah, Y. (2024). Role conflict and psychological stress among working postpartum mothers. Journal of Maternal and Child Health, 9(2), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.26911/thejmch.2024.09.02.04

Anggraini, D. (2024). Emotional instability and coping mechanisms among postpartum mothers. Midwifery Today, 149, 12–18.

Apriyani, R., & Aryanti, D. (2024). Complementary therapies for postpartum emotional disorders: A nursing perspective. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 42(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101231214567

Chechko, N., Stickel, S., & Eisenach, J. (2024). Mood disturbances in the early postpartum period: Neurobiological and psychosocial perspectives. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1298453. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1298453

Cheung, N. F., & Choi, E. P. H. (2022). Social support and postnatal mood disorders: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 311, 384–394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.084

Dennis, C. L., & Dowswell, T. (2013). Psychosocial and psychological interventions for preventing postpartum depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(2), CD001134. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001134.pub3

Dwi Febriati, R. (2023). Psychological adaptation of postpartum mothers: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Practice, 6(1), 22–30. https://doi.org/10.30994/jnp.v6i1.245

Eristono, D., Sasmita, H., & Wulan, A. (2023). Family support and maternal mental health during the postpartum period. Indonesian Journal of Nursing Sciences, 8(3), 201–210. https://doi.org/10.33221/ijns.v8i3.1987

Fitri, A., Rahmawati, I., & Sari, N. (2024). Prevalence and determinants of baby blues syndrome in Indonesian postpartum women. Kesmas: National Public Health Journal, 19(1), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.21109/kesmas.v19i1.7354

Hariyanti, D. (2020). Hormonal changes and mood disorders in postpartum women. Journal of Reproductive Health, 11(2), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.20473/jrh.v11i2.2020

Iyengar, U., & Hunt, J. (2024). Postpartum mood disorders: From baby blues to depression. The Lancet Psychiatry, 11(1), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00321-9

Jannah, M., Lestari, R., & Hidayat, S. (2024). Husband involvement and maternal emotional wellbeing after delivery. Journal of Family & Reproductive Health, 18(2), 98–106.

Kendall-Tackett, K. (2017). Depression in new mothers: Causes, consequences, and treatment alternatives. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315202345

Komariah, K. (2024). Husband support and emotional wellbeing among postpartum mothers. Journal of Family Nursing, 30(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1177/10748407231234567

Kurniawati, D., Sari, R., & Putri, A. (2022). Spousal involvement and maternal mental health outcomes. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22, 745. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05021-3

Merlina, M., Halima, N., & Putra, S. (2022). Employment status and postpartum depression risk. Journal of Women's Mental Health, 5(2), 77–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwmh.2022.06.004

Mones, R. L., Silva, P., & Andrade, L. (2023). Risk factors for postpartum mood disorders: A cross-sectional study. BMC Women's Health, 23, 412. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02514-9

Pratiwi Kasmara, A., Lestari, D., & Rahman, F. (2023). Psychological adaptation processes in postpartum mothers. Nurse Media Journal of Nursing, 13(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v13i1.45678

Riskesdas. (2022). Laporan nasional riset kesehatan dasar 2022. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia.

Sri, M., Utami, T., & Nurfita, E. (2024). Prevalence of baby blues syndrome in Southeast Asia. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 89, 103742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2024.103742

Tsokkou, P., Lambrinoudaki, I., & Papadopoulou, A. (2024). Psychosocial determinants of postpartum emotional disorders. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 27(1), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01321-4

Utami, N., & Nurfita, E. (2022). Socioeconomic factors and postpartum psychological distress. Journal of Public Health Research, 11(4), 234–242. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2022.2567

World Health Organization. (2018). Maternal mental health. World Health Organization.

Yunitasari, E. (2020). Baby blues syndrome and maternal psychological adaptation after childbirth. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 41(4), 285–292. https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2020.1763975