The association between social support, policy support, postpartum depressive symptoms, and quality of life in China: A chain mediation analysis

This cross-sectional study examined the associations of policy support and social support with postpartum depressive symptoms and quality of life among 528 postpartum women in China. Data were collected from June to December 2024. Higher policy support was associated with greater social support and fewer postpartum depressive symptoms. Greater social support was also associated with fewer postpartum depressive symptoms and better quality of life. Serial mediation analysis identified statistically significant indirect associations linking policy support with quality of life through social support and postpartum depressive symptoms. These findings were consistent with an associative serial mediation model but should not be interpreted as evidence of temporal or causal relationships.