THE EFFECT OF GROUP COUNSELING BASED ON PROBLEM SOLVING ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN MOTHERS ATTENDING TO HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN HAMADAN CITY

Postpartum depression is a critical condition that affects not only mothers but
their infants. For this reason, early diagnosis and conducting counseling interventions are essential in
reducing these problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of group counseling on
postpartum depression in mothers referring to Hamadan health centers in 2016.
Material & Methods: The study was a clinical trial. The study population consisted of postpartum
women who were referred to health centers in Hamadan in 2016. A total of 82 people were selected by
random sampling method and allocated to two groups of control and test (each group was 41). For the
test group, eight group counseling sessions were run based on problem solving. Data were gathered in
pre and post test with Edinburgh standard depression inventory questionnaire. Data were analyzed using
SPSS20 software, independent t-test, paired t-test, Chi-square and covariance analysis were used.
Results: There was no significant difference between the scores of pre-test depression in the two groups
(P> 0.05). Meanwhile, there was a difference between the two groups on post-test scores. So, group
counseling training had a significant effect on reducing postpartum depression in test group (P <0.01)
Conclusion: These results suggest that group counseling based on problem solving approach can be
used along with other therapeutic techniques to reduce postpartum depression