Postpartum Depression and Appearance Anxiety: The Moderating Role of Psychological Security and Environmental Mastery
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Objective: Postpartum physical changes and body image concerns can heighten negative emotions and anxiety in women. This study examines the relationship between postpartum depression and appearance anxiety, considering the moderating influence of psychological security and mental health.
Methods and Materials: This descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study used structural equation modeling to examine a moderating effect. The study population comprised all women who gave birth in Tehran hospitals in 2023. A purposive sample of 196 women was selected. Data were collected using the Ryff Scale of Psychological Wellbeing (RSPWB), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and the Psychological Security Inventory (PSI). Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS 27. SmartPLS 4 and jamovi 2.4.14 were used for moderation analysis and path analysis, respectively. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Findings: Postnatal depression (β= 0.415, P< 0.001) positively predicted appearance anxiety, while psychological security (β= -0.394, P< 0.001) negatively predicted it. Furthermore, mastering the environment significantly moderated the relationship between postnatal depression and appearance anxiety (β= -0.213, P= 0.044).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that reducing overt anxiety in mothers with postpartum depression requires addressing not only depression severity but also psychological security and environmental mastery. Effective interventions should therefore integrate these protective factors alongside depression treatment to improve maternal mental health.
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