A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MATERNAL PERCEPTIONS DURING PREGNANCY AND THE POSTPARTUM PEROOD

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate and compare maternal self-efficacy and perceived social support between pregnant and postpartum women. Additionally, it sought to explore the relationship between maternal self-efficacy and perceived social support across these two critical stages of motherhood. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative research design was used. The study population consisted of 114 women, including 57 pregnant and 57 postpartum participants, aged between 18 and 40 years. Participants were recruited from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a tertiary hospital. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews utilizing the Sociodemographic Data Form, the Perceived Maternal Self-Efficacy Scale (PMSES), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: The findings revealed that postpartum women exhibited significantly higher maternal self-efficacy (68.1 ± 7.9 vs. 62.4 ± 8.5, p < 0.001) and perceived social support (68.9 ± 10.5 vs. 63.7 ± 11.2, p = 0.003) compared to pregnant women. A positive correlation was identified between perceived social support and maternal self-efficacy, indicating that women who perceived greater emotional and practical support also reported higher confidence in their maternal roles. Conclusion: This study shows the pivotal role of social support in fostering maternal self-efficacy during the transition into motherhood. Strengthening family and community support networks could be an effective strategy to enhance maternal well-being during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Further longitudinal research is warranted to explore changes in maternal self-efficacy and support perceptions over time.