Childbirth Experiences, Sleep Quality and Depression among Postpartum Mothers

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing whether childbirth experiences were predictors of sleep quality and postpartum depression plus assessing the relationship between sleep quality and postpartum depression among mothers. It was also intended to assess whether sleep quality mediated the relationship between childbirth experiences and postpartum depression. A sample of 185 postpartum mothers in Kampala District was used in the study. These mothers were found in Joy Medical Centre Ndeeba, Span Medicare Kisaasi and Kyaddondo Medical Centre in Kawempe. The researcher used self-report measures for assessing socio-demographics, childbirth experiences, sleep quality and postpartum depression. Data from the field was analysed using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS IBM version 22). The study findings indicated a positive significant prediction of sleep quality from childbirth experiences and postpartum depression from sleep quality. It was also found that childbirth experiences were a significant predictor of postpartum depression. Lastly the results showed that sleep quality was a significant mediator in the relationship between childbirth experiences and postpartum depression.