Relationship between Postpartum Depression, Parental Perfectionism, and Social Media Use in First-Time Mothers: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PPD, parental perfectionism, and social media use in first-time mothers and to determine the factors affecting PPD. Methods: In this descriptive and correlational study, 229 mothers in the first year postpartum were examined between January and June 2023 in the pediatric outpatient clinic of a Medical Faculty Hospital in the Central Anatolia Region. Participant data were collected using the participant information form, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire, and Social Media Use Scale. Results: Notably, 28.4% participants were categorized in the risk group for depression, and 45% used their cell phones for ≥4 hours per day. Social media was predominantly used to obtain information (75.5%), and Instagram (88.2%) was the most commonly used social media platform. The identified risk factors for PPD included mothers’ age (OR = 0.835; p < 0.001); Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Scale total score (OR = 0.851; p < 0.001), including sub-dimension scores of personal parenting standards (OR = 1.212; p = 0.053), doubts about parenting activity (OR = 1.341; p < 0.001), and partner’s parenting expectations and criticisms (OR = 1.219; p < 0.001); and social integration and emotional connection sub-dimension scores of the social media use scale (OR = 0.928; p = 0.010). Conclusion: Maternal age, parental perfectionism, and social media use were important risk factors for PPD. Assessment of perfectionism and social media use may be useful in identifying women at risk of PPD in the postpartum period.