English 
Thai 
Abstract
Becoming a mother during adolescence is considered a major life event. In the postpartum period, adolescent mothers face both physical and psychological changes that may affect their ability to perform maternal roles. This descriptive correlational research aimed to examine the relationships among postpartum depression, social support, and maternal role competence in adolescent mothers.
The participants were 85 adolescent mothers under 18 years of age who attended postpartum checkups at Thammasat University Hospital and Pathum Thani Hospital between July and December 2015. The research instruments included: 1.The Modified Maternal Role Competence Scale based on Logsdon (2009), 2. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) developed by Cox et al. (1987), translated into Thai by Pitanupong, Liabsuetrakul, and Witayavanit (2007), 3. The Social Support Questionnaire for Postpartum Mothers developed by Nalinee Sitthiboonma, Kannika Kantharaksa, and Bangon Supawititpatthana (2015), based on House’s (1981) concept of social support. .
Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The findings were as follows: 1. 42.35% of adolescent mothers experienced postpartum depression, with a mean score of 6.80 (S.D. = 4.95).
2. 82.35% received a high level of social support, with a mean score of 4.15 (S.D. = 0.57). 3. 54.12% demonstrated a high level of maternal role competence, with a mean score of 3.05 (S.D. = 0.32). 4. Postpartum depression was significantly negatively correlated with maternal role competence (r = -0.256, p < 0.05). And 5. Social support was significantly positively correlated with maternal role competence (r = 0.215, p < 0.05). These findings can serve as a foundation for midwives in planning effective nursing interventions to enhance the maternal role competence of adolescent mothers during the postpartum period. Keywords: Postpartum depression, social support, maternal role competence, adolescent mothers, postpartum period
Keywords: Postpartum Depression, Social Support, Postpartum Functioning, Adolescent Mothers, Postpartum Period
Author Waranya Moolthito, Phanpilai Sri-aporn, and Chawee Baothuang
Research Method: Descriptive research
Journal Chiang Mai University Journal of Nursing
Year: 2017 2560
Research study link: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/cmunursing/article/view/97828
