The Role of Birth Memories in the Relationship Between Maternal Functioning and Blues

This study was conducted to examine role of birth memories and recall in relationship between maternal functioning and maternity blues in postpartum women.A cross-sectional design was employed. The study sample consisted of 418 participants from this population.

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

Women (Between 18 to 50 Years Old)

Age range

20 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Gaziantep University

Gaziantep, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The sustainability of postpartum maternal functioning has increasingly attracted attention in the literature in terms of how the birth experience is cognitively processed and the possible effects of the way it is recalled on maternity blues. This study was conducted to examine the role of birth memories and recall in relationship between maternal functioning and maternity blues in postpartum women.A cross-sectional design was employed. The study sample consisted of 418 participants from this population. Data were collected using a personal information form, Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning , Postpartum Maternity Blues Assessment Scale and Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire .

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Mothers with babies aged 0-1 who volunteered to participate in the study who had no conditions that would prevent communication.

Exclusion criteria

Mothers with babies over 1 year old who do not wish to participate in the study

Treatment and study plan

Birth Memories and Recall scale

Other

The data collection tools were applied to the participants by the researcher through face-to-face interviews. At the outset, the purpose of the study was explained to the participants. It was stated that participation in the study was completely voluntary and that they could withdraw from the study at any time. Then, their written and verbal consent was obtained.Participants who agreed to participate in the study, had no condition that would prevent communication, and had babies between the ages of 0 and 1 were included in the study.Data were collected using a personal information form, BIMF, PMBAS, and BirthMARQ.

Primary outcomes

The Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning

Time frame: 3 months

The study was completed with 418 participants. Their written and verbal consent was obtained.

The Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning: The scale consists of 16 seven-point Likert items.The lowest score from the scale is 0, and the highest is 96. The higher the score is, the higher the functioning is.
The Postpartum Maternity Blues Assessment Scale

Time frame: 3 months

The Postpartum Maternity Blues Assessment Scale: It has 23 five-point Likert items. The total scores range from 23 to 115. A high score indicates that symptoms of maternity blues are high in the postpartum period.
The Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire

Time frame: 3 months

The Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire: The scale consists of a total of 21 items and 6 sub-dimensions. The mean score of the items on each sub-dimension gives the sub-dimension score. Items 1, 3, and 11 are reverse-scored. The total scores range from 27 to 189. The higher the score is, the higher the memories is. The sub-dimensions are emotional memory, ambivalent emotional memory, centrality of memory, coherence and reliving, sensory memory, and involuntary recall.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Gaziantep

Other

Registry information

Acronym: Birth

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Aug 20, 2025
Registry last updated: Aug 20, 2025

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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Completed