Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mood disorder affecting women's mental health. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the prevalence and predictors of PPD among women in Kosovo, including maternal age, economic status, mode of delivery, infant diet, and social support. DESIGN: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study. Data were collected within a specified time. METHODS: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were administered to 192 women aged 18 to 49 years. Percentage, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman's correlation, and regression analyses were used to analyze the data based on the research hypotheses. RESULTS: The prevalence of possible PPD disorder was 49.5%. Significant differences were found in average depression based on economic status, maternal age, and diet. Although there were differences in the ranking of the means, no significant differences were found in the modes of delivery. Spearman's correlational analysis showed a significant negative relationship between PPD and the subdimensions of social support, especially family support (ρ = -0.57, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that maternal age, economic status, and infant diet were significant predictors of PPD (p < 0.05), whereas the mode of delivery was not a significant predictor (p > 0.05). Social support emerged as the strongest predictor, with higher perceived social support associated with lower depression scores. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the crucial role of social support in alleviating PPD and underscore the importance of providing support during this period to facilitate better outcomes.