Depression and Perceived Social Support Evaluation in Iranian Pregnant Women Who Underwent Elective or Non-Elective Cesarean Delivery in 2011-2012

Psychological factors play an important role in post-partum period and they may cause some disorders such as post-partum depression. These disorders may be correlated with delivery modes. This study was designed to evaluated depression and social support in women who underwent elective or non-elective Cesarean delivery. Methods and Materials: This case-control study was conducted on 140 pregnant women who referred to Shairaaty Hospital, Isfahan, between 2011 and 2012. Seventy participants had a maternal request for Cesarean. Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS-P) questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used for social support and depression evaluation in the subjects. Result: Mean age in the elective Cesarean group was 27.48 ± 4.25 years and mean age in group B was 27 + 4.16 years. 31.5% of the women who underwent elective Cesarean and 27.2% of the participants who underwent Cesarean with a medical reason had depression according to the BDI (p value =0.515) and there was no significant difference between the groups in the social support subscales (p value >0.05). Conclusion: According to our results and previous reports, there was no association between the delivery mode and post-partum psychological disorders; however, family support may decrease these disorders.[GMJ. 2012;1(2):72-77]