THE EFFECTS OF STRESS AND DEPRESSION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING OF NURSING MOTHERS AND PREGNANT WOMEN IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of stress and depression on psychological wellbeing of pregnant women and nursing mothers. A total number of 250 participants in the maternity ward of Ekiti State university teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, and other health care center were randomly selected for participation in the study. The instruments used are Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)), The Beck Depression Inventory and Scale of Psychological Wellbeing (SPWB). Six hypotheses were tested in all, these are: Stress will significantly influences psychological wellbeing of nursing mother, Depression will significantly influences psychological wellbeing of nursing mothers, Age will significantly influences psychological wellbeing of nursing mothers, Depression will significantly influences psychological wellbeing of Pregnant women, Stress  will  influence the psychological wellbeing of Pregnant women, Age and marital status will have joint influence on psychological wellbeing of pregnant women.  Independent t-test was used to test all hypotheses. Data collected were analyzed and findings showed that stress does not have a significant influence on psychological well-being of Nursing Mothers t (123) = -.273 p>.05).  Depression does not have a significant influence on psychological well-being of Nursing mothers (t (123) = -.534 p >.05). Age has a significant influence on psychological well-being of nursing mothers (df (2,122) = 4.85 p<.05). Depression has a significant influence on psychological well-being of pregnant women (t (123) = 1.626 p<.05). Stress does not have a significant influence on psychological well- being of pregnant women (t(123) = -.288 p>.05). Finally, Age has a significant influence on psychological well-being of pregnant women (df(2, 122) = 3.85 p<.05). Above results suggest that Stress, Depression and Psychological Wellbeing play a substantial role in pregnant women and Nursing mothers during prenatal and postpartum. Research is also needed to understand the quality of care that health practitioners and family members provide and then determine how that care impacts the overall therapeutic plan and patients outcomes. Thus, it is recommended that future research should address the effect of the aforementioned contextual variables that may differently influence psychological wellbeing of pregnant women and Nursing mothers in Nigeria.   Keywords: Stress, Depression, Psychological Wellbeing, Nursing Mothers, Pregnant Women.