Postpartum Taiwanese women: their postpartum depression, social support and health-promoting lifestyle profiles.
BACKGROUND
To reach the Millennium Development Goals, maternal health-promoting behaviours need to be encouraged after childbirth; little is known about the health-promoting behaviour among first-time mothers during their postpartum period.


OBJECTIVE
To examine levels of engagement in health-promoting behaviours and related factors among postpartum women in Taiwan.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted through a convenience sample of 122 qualified women. Participants self-completed a questionnaire and mailed it back using a stamped, self-addressed envelope from July to September 2003. Instruments of this study included a demographic questionnaire as well as three Likert-type scales: the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale and a self-developed social support scale.


RESULTS
The average overall Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile score was low (mean, 2.83 SD 1.35), with exercise rated lowest among the six subscales. Postpartum women perceived that they had high levels of social support from their mothers-in-law, mothers and husbands. An astonishing 42.6% of women experienced postnatal depression. Based on results of multiple regressions, 25% of the variance in health-promoting lifestyle practices was explained by postpartum depression and social support. Social support was found to predict all subscales significantly except exercise. Postpartum depression can significantly predict self-actualization, interpersonal relationships, nutrition and stress management. All modifying factors were excluded from the regression model.


CONCLUSIONS
This study validates the theoretical relationships among concepts in the Health Promotion Model. Nursing interventions are recommended which are tailored to enhance women's social support and decrease their depression to promote their pursuit of healthy lifestyles.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the implications of social support to nursing practice, especially in Chinese culture which has a strict ritual during a women's postpartum period. Findings of this study provide information and data for service planning and community care to support postpartum care in the communities.
Chen
Ching-Min
CM
College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Kuo
Shu-Fen
SF
Chou
Yu-Hua
YH
Chen
Hsiu-Chuan
HC
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology