Anxiety, depression and coping Strategies among mothers during postpartum period at Mengo Hospital-Uganda

Abstract

Anxiety and depression have become a global concern among mothers during pospartum period. this has therefore prompted many mothers to adopt various coping strategies such as emotional coping , problem focused and avoidant coping. However, some of these strategies are adaptive well as others are maladaptive to the emotional growth of these mothers. The study investigated the relationship between anxiety, depression and coping strategies among mothers during postpartum preiod. The study employed a quantative, cross sectional and correlational design and employed 123 postpartm mothers from the postnal ward at Mengo hospital in kampala. Data was collected by standardized questionaires. Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were done to test the hypothesis. Results showed a high prevalence of anxiety (88.6%) and depressive (82.1%) symptoms among postpartum mothers. Significant relationships were found between anxiety and depression, anxiety and avoidant coping strategies. However, there was a negative relationship between anxiety and gender of the baby, depression and problem focused coping, depression and emotional coping. Anxiety was the best predictor of depression. In conclusion therefore mothers have adopted various coping strategies such as emotional,problem focused and avoidant coping strategies.