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NCT Number: NCT07376369

Association of Spousal Support With Parenting Self-Confidence and Depression in Primipar Mothers

The transition to motherhood, particularly for first-time (primiparous) women, is a critical life period requiring substantial psychological and social adjustment. Hormonal changes, increased caregiving responsibilities, sleep disturbances, and potential social isolation during pregnancy and the postpartum period may increase vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health concern that adversely affects maternal well-being, mother-infant interaction, and infant development, with insufficient social support identified as one of its most significant risk factors.

Maternal self-efficacy, defined as a mother's perceived competence in caring for and responding to her infant's needs, is a key indicator of successful adaptation to the parenting role. Evidence suggests that maternal self-efficacy develops primarily within the first months after childbirth and tends to be lower in primiparous women. Low parenting self-efficacy has been associated with increased depressive symptoms, higher parenting stress, impaired mother-infant bonding, and negative developmental outcomes for the infant.

Among social support sources, partner support plays a particularly protective role during the transition to parenthood. Emotional, informational, and practical support provided by the partner has been shown to enhance maternal self-efficacy, reduce psychological distress, improve marital adjustment, and lower the risk of postpartum depression. Conversely, low perceived partner support and relationship difficulties are associated with an increased risk of PPD in primiparous mothers.

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between perceived partner support and postpartum parenting self-efficacy and depressive symptoms in primiparous women. Additionally, the study seeks to evaluate the explanatory and protective role of partner support on maternal self-efficacy and postpartum depression during the early postpartum period.

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Key information

Conditions

Support Parenting Postpartum Period

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Online study

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Eslem Altıntaş, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

Investigator

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusionsd Criteria:

  • Aged 18 years or older
  • Primiparous mothers (first childbirth)
  • Between 0 and 12 months postpartum
  • Living with spouse or partner
  • Able to read and write Turkish
  • Having access to the internet
  • Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosed neurological disorder
  • Diagnosed psychiatric disorder
  • Visual impairment preventing completion of questionnaires
  • Cognitive impairment preventing completion of questionnaires

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Introduction Information Forum

    Time frame: At enrollment

    This form was developed by the researchers based on the relevant literature and consists of 29 items designed to assess the sociodemographic, obstetric, and early postpartum experiences of primiparous women. The form includes variables related to partner support, sources of social support, childbirth experience, initiation of breastfeeding, and maternal emotional status. The items were constructed using core variables commonly employed in the assessment of psychosocial status during the postpartum period.

  2. Parenting Self-Confidence (Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale)

    Time frame: At enrollment

    Parenting self-confidence assessed using the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS). The scale consists of 15 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 42. Higher scores indicate greater parenting self-confidence.

  3. Perceived Spousal Support measured by the Early Postpartum Perceived Spousal Support Scale

    Time frame: At enrollment

    The Early Postpartum Perceived Spousal Support Scale (ELSKAEDÖ) is a structured self-report questionnaire developed to assess women's perceived spousal support during the early postpartum period. The scale consists of 16 items and includes three subdomains: emotional support (7 items), social support (6 items), and physical support (3 items).

    Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Positively worded items are scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), while negatively worded items are reverse-coded before calculating the total score.

    The total score ranges from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater perceived spousal support and better psychosocial outcomes, and lower scores indicating insufficient perceived support.

  4. Postpartum Depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale)

    Time frame: At enrollment

    Depressive symptoms assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The scale includes 10 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate greater risk of postpartum depression.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Eslem Altıntaş, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 541 610 54 12

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Other

Collaborators

  • Acibadem University

Registry information

Official study title

Primipar Annelerde Eş Desteğinin Doğum Sonu Ebeveynlik Özgüveni ve Depresyon Düzeyleri Üzerindeki Etkisi: Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 29, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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