The Relationship Between Depression, Spiritual Well-Being and Spiritual Care Needs of Postpartum Women in Türkiye

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between depression, and spiritual well-being and spiritual care needs of women in the postpartum period. The Personal Information Form, Postpartum Depression Screening Scale, Spiritual Well-Being Scale and Spiritual Care Needs Inventory were used as data collection tools. A total of 430 postpartum women living in Türkiye were included in the study. According to the cut-off value of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale, 36.5% of the participants were at risk for minor or major depression. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between the scores the participants obtained from the total Postpartum Depression Screening Scale and transcendence (devotion to a divine power) (r = − 0.191, p < 0.01), harmony with nature (r = − 0.200, p < 0.01), and anomie (meaning of life) (r = − 0.463, p < 0.01). The Structural equation modelling analysis showed an acceptable model fit and revealed that higher levels of postpartum depression were significantly associated with lower levels of transcendence, harmony with nature and anomie. Due to the overlap between certain subscales of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (harmony with nature and anomie) and mental health constructs, the correlations involving these subscales were not considered methodologically meaningful. As a result, only the relationships between the transcendent subscale, which specifically measures spiritual aspects, and postpartum depression were deemed significant.