POSTPARTUM FUNCTIONING OF MOTHERS: AN EXAMINATION OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND INFANT CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

This research investigates the maternal functioning of postpartum women in Ijaiye, Lagos, Nigeria, emphasising the influences of social support, financial strain, and newborn characteristics. Data were collected from 327 postpartum moms, 1-12 months post-delivery, utilising a cross-sectional survey approach and standardised questionnaires. The results indicate that social support is positively associated with maternal functioning, hence improving psychological well-being and caregiving ability. In contrast, financial strain emerged as a substantial negative predictor of maternal functioning, associating economic difficulties with heightened maternal stress and diminished caregiving effectiveness. The analysis highlights the impact of infant temperament, indicating that more difficult features correlate with diminished maternal confidence and increased emotional distress. Multiple regression analysis indicates that social support, financial hardship, and infant temperament all account for 36.7% of the variance in maternal functioning. These findings correspond with empirical literature regarding the protective function of social support and the detrimental impact of economic and caregiving burdens on postpartum experiences. This study underscores the urgent necessity for holistic interventions that tackle financial difficulties, enhance social support networks, and provide specialised resources for moms with temperamentally difficult infants. Recommendations encompass community-oriented programs, improved access to prenatal and postnatal care, and specific legislation targeting maternal mental health. These techniques are crucial for enhancing maternal well-being and child developmental outcomes, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged environments.