The Effect of Podcast Education on Postpartum Depression, Maternal Attachment, and Self-Care Agency in the Early Postpartum Period: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A data collection form was developed by the researchers based on a review of the relevant literature. The form includes items designed to assess the socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics of primiparous postpartum women. Socio-demographic variables include age, educational level, family structure, and income status. Obstetric variables include mode of delivery, receipt of prenatal education, use of postpartum contraceptive methods, and whether the pregnancy was planned.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was developed by Cox et al. in 1987 to screen for depression during the postpartum period (26). The Turkish validity and reliability study of the scale was conducted by Engindeniz et al. in 1997. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.79. The EPDS is a self-report instrument consisting of 10 items in a 4-point Likert-type format. Each item is scored between 0 and 3. The total score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 30.

The Maternal Attachment Scale (MAS) was developed by Muller in 1994 to measure maternal attachment. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Kavlak and Şirin in 2009. The MAS assesses maternal feelings and behaviors that show affection. Since it is a self-report scale, the person completing it must be literate and able to understand what they read. The scale consists of 26 items with a 4-point Likert scale, offering the options "always," "frequently," "sometimes," and "never." The scoring is: always = 4 points, frequently = 3 points, sometimes = 2 points, and never = 1 point. Scores range from 26 to 104, with higher scores indicating stronger maternal attachment. The Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.77 for mothers with one-month-old babies and 0.82 for mothers with four-month-old babies.

The Self-Care Agency Scale was developed by Kearney and Fleischer in 1979 to measure individuals' ability to care for themselves. The Turkish validity and reliability study was done by Nahçıvan in 1994. The scale has 35 items with a 5-point Likert format: "does not describe me at all," "does not describe me well," "undecided," "describes me somewhat," and "describes me very well." Scores range from 0 to 4 accordingly. Eight items (3, 6, 9, 13, 19, 22, 26, 31) are reverse scored. Positive items are scored 0-4; negative items 4-0. Scores ≤82 indicate low, 83-120 moderate, and >120 high self-care agency. Cronbach's alpha was 0.89.

Description: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was developed by Cox et al. in 1987 to screen for depression during the postpartum period (26). The Turkish validity and reliability study of the scale was conducted by Engindeniz et al. in 1997. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.79. The EPDS is a self-report instrument consisting of 10 items in a 4-point Likert-type format. Each item is scored between 0 and 3. The total score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 30.

Description: The Maternal Attachment Scale (MAS) was developed by Muller in 1994 to measure maternal attachment. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Kavlak and Şirin in 2009. The MAS assesses maternal feelings and behaviors that show affection. Since it is a self-report scale, the person completing it must be literate and able to understand what they read. The scale consists of 26 items with a 4-point Likert scale, offering the options "always," "frequently," "sometimes," and "never." The scoring is: always = 4 points, frequently = 3 points, sometimes = 2 points, and never = 1 point. Scores range from 26 to 104, with higher scores indicating stronger maternal attachment. The Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.77 for mothers with one-month-old babies and 0.82 for mothers with four-month-old babies.

Description: The Self-Care Agency Scale was developed by Kearney and Fleischer in 1979 to measure individuals' ability to care for themselves. The Turkish validity and reliability study was done by Nahçıvan in 1994. The scale has 35 items with a 5-point Likert format: "does not describe me at all," "does not describe me well," "undecided," "describes me somewhat," and "describes me very well." Scores range from 0 to 4 accordingly. Eight items (3, 6, 9, 13, 19, 22, 26, 31) are reverse scored. Positive items are scored 0-4; negative items 4-0. Scores ≤82 indicate low, 83-120 moderate, and >120 high self-care agency. Cronbach's alpha was 0.89.