Emotional distress among postpartum women in central Nepal: a cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling

Background Postpartum emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, is a public health concern affecting maternal well-being and child development. Although several studies have identified risk factors among Nepalese women, little is known about the multifactorial pathways underlying postpartum emotional distress. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of postpartum emotional distress and to examine the pathways and interrelationships among factors associated with postpartum emotional distress among women in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in central Nepal. A total of 381 postpartum women (4–12 weeks after delivery) were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Sociodemographic, perinatal, childcare-related, and psychosocial data were collected. Exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to identify latent factors and the relationships among them. Results The prevalence of postpartum emotional distress was 40.2% (95% CI: 35.2–45.3). Factor analysis identified seven latent factors: Childcare Experience, Mother's Economic Strength, Age of Parents, Extended Family Support, Emotional Distress, Help from Husband, and Satisfaction with Married Life. SEM demonstrated good fit (CFI = 0.971, RMSEA = 0.043). Satisfaction with Married Life (standardized coefficient: −0.66, p < 0.01), Help from Husband (−0.15, p < 0.01), Extended Family Support (−0.15, p < 0.05), and Mother's Economic Strength (−0.16, p < 0.05) were inversely associated with emotional distress. Conclusions Postpartum emotional distress is highly prevalent among Nepalese women. Strengthening family and partner support, promoting community-based interventions, and enhancing routine mental health screening by health professionals are essential to both reduce distress and improve the psychological well-being of mothers and long-term outcomes for children.