Hsuesh-Yu Cheng1, Tsuey-Yuan Huang2, Li-Yu Chien3, Yu-Fen Cheng4, Fen-Ju Chen5. 1. MBA, RN, Head Nurse, Postpartum Care Institutions, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, ROC. 2. PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC. 3. PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC. 4. MBA, RN, Supervisor, Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, ROC. 5. PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Department of Health Administration, I-Shou University, Taiwan, ROC. fenju@isu.edu.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Postpartum depression is a common health problem for women following childbirth. Using effective social support to reduce postpartum depression has become an important issue. The current popularity of smartphones offers new possibilities for interventional methods. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of mobile-application-based social support programs on perceived stress and postpartum depression in postpartum women. METHODS: The present study employs an experimental research design. 126 smartphone users at 36 weeks' gestation were assigned randomly to the intervention (n = 61) or the control (n = 65) group. The intervention group received a social-support intervention via the mobile application Line twice per week for a period of 4 weeks after childbirth. The control group did not receive the intervention. The Perceived Stress Scale-Chinese version and Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale were used to evaluate the outcome. RESULTS: Participants in the intervention group had significantly lower perceived stress (F = 27.25, p < .001) and postpartum depression (F = 35.73, p < .001) than their control group peers. CONCLUSIONS: Social-support programs that are delivered via mobile applications such as Line may significantly reduce the perceived stress and postpartum depression of women during the early postpartum period. The results support the implementation of mobile-application-based social support programs in postpartum care.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Postpartum depression is a common health problem for women following childbirth. Using effective social support to reduce postpartum depression has become an important issue. The current popularity of smartphones offers new possibilities for interventional methods. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of mobile-application-based social support programs on perceived stress and postpartum depression in postpartum women. METHODS: The present study employs an experimental research design. 126 smartphone users at 36 weeks' gestation were assigned randomly to the intervention (n = 61) or the control (n = 65) group. The intervention group received a social-support intervention via the mobile application Line twice per week for a period of 4 weeks after childbirth. The control group did not receive the intervention. The Perceived Stress Scale-Chinese version and Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale were used to evaluate the outcome. RESULTS:Participants in the intervention group had significantly lower perceived stress (F = 27.25, p < .001) and postpartum depression (F = 35.73, p < .001) than their control group peers. CONCLUSIONS: Social-support programs that are delivered via mobile applications such as Line may significantly reduce the perceived stress and postpartum depression of women during the early postpartum period. The results support the implementation of mobile-application-based social support programs in postpartum care.
Entities:
Keywords:
mobile application; postnatal perceived stress; postpartum depression; social support program