THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POSTPARTUM ANXIETY AND MATERNAL FUNCTION IN MOTHERS

This descriptive, cross-sectional, and relationship-seeking study aimed to determine the relationship between postpartum anxiety and maternal function in mothers with 6-10 weeks old babies. The study was carried out with 258 mothers who were 6-10 weeks postpartum. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS), and Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF). It was determined that the majority of the mothers participating in the study were between the ages of 27-34, high school graduates, not working, having health insurance, having a moderate income, living with a nuclear family, and married for 2-6 years. The majority of mothers had babies who were 8-9 weeks old, had a vaginal delivery, experienced 2-3 pregnancies, had assistance with postpartum care, and received education/information about postpartum care. The mean PSAS score for the mothers was determined to be at a moderate level (83.71±21.71), while the mean BIMF score was above a moderate level (71.49±13.89). It was found that there was a moderate, negative significant relationship between the PSAS total score and the BIMF total score, and it was determined that the level of maternal functioning decreased as postpartum anxiety increased (p<0,05). In the postpartum period, it has been determined that maternal psychology should not be ignored as well as perinatal health services, and that the mother's anxiety negatively affects maternal functioning. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to comprehensively assess the mother's physical, psychological, and social well-being during the postpartum period and identify potential issues early on.