Family and Spousal Support Are Associated with Higher Levels of Maternal Functioning in a Study of Iranian Postpartum Women

Abstract

Postpartum maternal functioning is a multidimensional concept defined as how a woman manages her daily activities and emotional health after giving birth. This study aimed to determine the predictors of postpartum maternal functioning. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 564 women within one to four months after giving birth (with registered medical records in health centers of Tabriz, Iran) from 2020–2021. The participants were selected based on the cluster sampling method, and data were collected using a standard questionnaire inclusive of sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, obstetric history, and Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF). The adjusted general linear model was employed to estimate the effect of each independent variable (sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics) on the dependent variable (maternal functioning). The mean total score of maternal functioning was 93.1 (±SD = 14.8) out of 120. Based on the adjusted generalized linear model (GLM), “spouse support” and “family support” were strong predictors of maternal functioning. The total score of maternal functioning in women with moderate (B: −4.44; 95% CI: −7.71 to −1.17; p < 0.001) and low (B: −4.77; 95% CI: −8.90 to −1.47; p < 0.001) spousal support was significantly lower compared to women who received a high level of spousal support. Additionally, this score in women with moderate (B: −5.22; 95% CI: −8.56 to −1.87; p < 0.001) and low (B: −3.90; 95% CI: −7.31 to −0.48; p < 0.001) family support was significantly lower compared to women who received a high level of family support. Study results suggest that receiving support from both a spouse and family members can improve maternal functioning.