Background Considering that postpartum depression can negatively impact the health of both mother and baby, preventive psychoeducational interventions are needed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a psychoeducational intervention applied to postpartum care on postpartum depression and breastfeeding outcomes. Methods The research was a randomized pretest-posttest controlled group intervention trial. It was conducted with 102 pregnant women randomly assigned to intervention (n = 50) and control (n = 52) groups between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation in Family Health Centers. While all participants received standard care, the intervention group additionally participated in a psychoeducational program based on Watson’s Human Caring Model. This structured intervention was delivered at four timepoints: three sessions before delivery at weekly intervals, followed by sessions on postpartum day 10 and week 6. Results Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups on the Antenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scales scores. However, after the intervention, Postpartum Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scales scores were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to controls. Analysis revealed an inverse relationship in the intervention group, where increased breastfeeding self-efficacy coincided with decreased levels of postpartum depression. Statistical modeling showed that changes in breastfeeding self-efficacy explained 17.4% of the variance in postpartum depression levels among women receiving the psychoeducational intervention. Conclusion The psychoeducational program based on Watson’s Human Caring Model effectively reduced the risk of postpartum depression while increasing breastfeeding self-efficacy among participants. These findings suggest that incorporating structured psychoeducational interventions into routine postpartum midwifery and nursing care can significantly improve maternal mental health and breastfeeding outcomes. Trial registration number Study registered on Clinical Trials.gov on November 12, 2024. Clinical Trials.gov number: NCT06779903. <a href="https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/beta/records">https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/beta/records</a>.

The effect of psychoeducational ıntervention on postpartum care on postpartum depression and breastfeeding: a randomized controlled trial

期刊论文
出版模式：

开放获取
发表日期：

2025年11月26日

查看全文

Yasemin Özhüner,
Nebahat Özerdoğan

摘要

Background

Considering that postpartum depression can negatively impact the health of both mother and baby, preventive psychoeducational interventions are needed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a psychoeducational intervention applied to postpartum care on postpartum depression and breastfeeding outcomes.

Methods

The research was a randomized pretest-posttest controlled group intervention trial. It was conducted with 102 pregnant women randomly assigned to intervention (n = 50) and control (n = 52) groups between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation in Family Health Centers. While all participants received standard care, the intervention group additionally participated in a psychoeducational program based on Watson’s Human Caring Model. This structured intervention was delivered at four timepoints: three sessions before delivery at weekly intervals, followed by sessions on postpartum day 10 and week 6.

Results

Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups on the Antenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scales scores. However, after the intervention, Postpartum Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scales scores were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to controls. Analysis revealed an inverse relationship in the intervention group, where increased breastfeeding self-efficacy coincided with decreased levels of postpartum depression. Statistical modeling showed that changes in breastfeeding self-efficacy explained 17.4% of the variance in postpartum depression levels among women receiving the psychoeducational intervention.

Conclusion

The psychoeducational program based on Watson’s Human Caring Model effectively reduced the risk of postpartum depression while increasing breastfeeding self-efficacy among participants. These findings suggest that incorporating structured psychoeducational interventions into routine postpartum midwifery and nursing care can significantly improve maternal mental health and breastfeeding outcomes.

Trial registration number

Study registered on Clinical Trials.gov on November 12, 2024. Clinical Trials.gov number: NCT06779903. https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/beta/records.