Köse, Semra; Ayran, Gülsün

Background This study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Postpartum Depression Scale for Mothers of Preterm Babies. Methods This methodological study was conducted with 204 mothers. Research data were collected using a Questionnaire and the Postpartum Depression Scale for Mothers of Preterm Babies. Content and construct validity analyses and reliability analyses were used for data evaluation. Results The scale demonstrated excellent content validity (S-CVI = 0.98). CFA confirmed the three-factor structure of the original scale with acceptable model fit (χ2/df = 2.11, RMSEA = 0.074, CFI = 0.95). Factor loadings ranged between 0.46 and 0.88. The internal consistency of the total scale was acceptable (Cronbach's α = 0.758). Conclusion The Turkish version of the MPB-PDS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing postpartum depression in mothers of preterm infants during the early postpartum period and can be used as a practical screening tool in neonatal follow-up settings.

Köse, Semra; Ayran, Gülsün

Background: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of social support and optimism upon the level of depression among mothers of premature babies hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: This descriptive and relationship-seeking study was carried out between February and October 2022 with mothers of premature babies hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Clinic of a university hospital. The study was carried out with 152 mothers who met the inclusion criteria. The data were interpreted using percentage, mean, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. Results: In the study, it was found that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between mothers' perception of social support and their level of optimism. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the level of depression and the level of optimism. The model established to determine the effect of social support and optimism on the level of depression was found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: In conclusion, it was found that mothers of premature infants with social support who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit had an increased level of optimism, and this optimism reduced the level of depression among the mothers.