Association between stress, caregiver burden, and social support among partners of women with and without postpartum psychosis: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Postpartum psychosis (PPP) not only affects mothers but also their partners.

AIM: To evaluate and compare levels of stress, caregiver burden, and perceived social support among partners of women with and without postpartum psychosis.

METHODS

This hospital-based, cross-sectional study recruited 180 male partners of postpartum women through systematic random sampling. Sociodemographic details were recorded, and participants were assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Zarit Burden Interview-12 (ZBI-12), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).

RESULTS

Stress was significantly higher among partners of women with PPP compared with partners of women without PPP [P = 0.004]. Partners exhibited high caregiver burden [P = 0.007] if the wife is suffering from postpartum psychosis. Social support was significantly higher in partners from rural backgrounds (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Compared with partners of women without PPP, partners of women with PPP suffer from significantly higher stress and caregiver burden.