| Introduction: Postpartum women experience changes in their physiological and psychological
functions as they adapt to their parenting role. The objective of this study was to examine the
association between maternal self-efficacy and functional status in postpartum period.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 305 Iranian women were selected randomly via a
two-stage cluster sampling method at the end of the fourth month postpartum in 25 healthcare
centers of Tabriz-Iran, 2016. Data were collected using the socio-demographic characteristics
questionnaire, self-efficacy scale and inventory of functional status after childbirth. The statistical
tests including Pearson correlation, Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and General linear
model were used for data analysis.
Results: A significant positive relationship was observed between functional status and selfefficacy
(p<0.001, r¼0.359). According to the adjusted general linear model, self-efficacy,
mother’s age, income status and planned pregnancy have statistically significant relationships
with functional status and explain 33.5% of the variance in the functional status score.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that increased postpartum maternal selfefficacy
is associated with improved functional status, which requires health providers to evaluate
postpartum maternal self-efficacy and make the necessary interventions if it is low. |