Structural equation modeling analysis of the quality of life′s influencing factors among puerperal women

Objective To explore the relationship among social support, postpartum depression and quality of life of puerperal women. Methods A total of 348 puerperal women were investigated with Postnatal Social Support Questionnaire,Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Results Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between social support and the quality of life (r=0.483, P < 0.01), and a significant negative correlation to postpartum depression (r=-0.243, P < 0.01),and a significant negative correlation between postpartum depression and quality of life (r=-0.408, P < 0.01). Intermediary effect of postpartum depression was tested. Conclusions A good social support system is benefit to improve depression scores for EPDS, and promote the life quality in puerperal women. Key words: Quality of life; Social support; Depression postpartum; Puerperium; Structural equation modeling