The Effect of Maternal and Paternal Depressive Symptom Levels in the Postpartum Period on Marital Adjustment and Quality of Sexual Life

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal and paternal depressive symptoms on marital adjustment and quality of sexual life in the postnatal period. The study was a cross-sectional and correlational study. The research data were collected from 60 couples who came to a state hospital obstetrics and gynaecology outpatient clinic for a follow-up visit by using an Individual Identification Form, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Sexual Quality of Life Scale, and Marital Adjustment Scale. Percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to analyse the relationship between variables. While there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between the mean total score of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the mean total score of the Marital Adjustment Scale (r=0.704, p<0.05), there was a statistically significant and negative relationship with the mean total score of the Sexual Quality of Life Scale (r=-0.358, p<0.05). While there was a statistically moderately significant and negative relationship between the mean total score of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the mean total score of the Marital Adjustment Scale of the fathers (r=-0.562, p<0.05), a statistically significant and negative relationship was found with the mean total score of the Sexual Quality of Life Scale (r=-0.811, p<0.05). In the regression analysis, maternal and observed depressive symptom levels predicted marital adjustment and sexual quality of life by 49.6% and 70%, respectively. In conclusion, depressive symptom levels of mothers and fathers affect both marital adjustment and quality of sexual life.