The Relationship Between Maternal Attachment Styles and Postpartum Depression Symptoms: The Moderating Role of Spousal Support

Dinmohammadi, Niloofar; Behzadpoor, Samaneh

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Volume 30, Issue 2 (Bimothly 2026)

Feyz Med Sci J 2026, 30(2): 8-8

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The Relationship Between Maternal Attachment Styles and Postpartum Depression Symptoms: The Moderating Role of Spousal Support

Niloofar Dinmohammadi

, Samaneh Behzadpoor ^*

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran , samaneh_behzadpoor@yahoo.com

Abstract: (516 Views)

Background and Aim: Postpartum Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders during the postnatal period, with potential adverse effects on maternal mental health, family relationship quality, and child development. Given the importance of identifying factors associated with this condition, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between maternal attachment styles and symptoms of postpartum depression, as well as the moderating role of spousal support.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive-analytical design. The study population consisted of 237 mothers residing in Tehran in 2024, all of whom were within 24 months postpartum. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire, and the Spousal Support Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and path analysis.
Results: The maternal anxious and avoidant attachment styles were directly and significantly positively associated with symptoms of postpartum depression (r = 0.69 and r = 0.34, respectively; p < 0.01). In addition, spousal support demonstrated a significant negative relationship with postpartum depression symptoms (r = -0.41, p < 0.01). However, path analysis revealed that spousal support did not play a significant moderating role in the relationship between maternal attachment styles and postpartum depression symptoms.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that insecure maternal attachment styles may be considered important predictors of postpartum depression symptoms. Furthermore, although spousal support was independently associated with reduced depressive symptoms, no significant moderating effect was observed in the relationship between insecure attachment and postpartum depression in this study.

Keywords: Postpartum depression, Attachment styles, Spousal support, Maternal mental health

Type of Study: Research | Subject: General
Received: 2025/11/15 | Revised: 2026/07/1 | Accepted: 2026/03/16 | Published: 2026/07/1

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Dinmohammadi N, Behzadpoor S. The Relationship Between Maternal Attachment Styles and Postpartum Depression Symptoms: The Moderating Role of Spousal Support. Feyz Med Sci J 2026; 30 (2) :8-8
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