The Variations in the Effect of Marital Conflict and Social Support on Postpartum Psychological Distress

• In Event: 136 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 01. Family Relationships

Abstract

Marital conflict associated with low marital quality in the postpartum period is a significant risk factor for mothers’ distress. This research examines the variations in the effect of marital conflict and social support on postpartum psychological distress among Korean mothers using the Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC). Coherent to the literature, martial conflict increases Korean mothers’ postpartum psychological distress and social support reduces it. There are two main findings in this research. First, the stress-buffering effect of social support is contingent on levels of marital conflict. Social support only buffers the stress of those with higher levels of marital conflict. Second, different types of social support have different main effects on Korean mothers’ postpartum psychological distress. Both emotional and instrumental support benefit mental health, while informational support is insignificant. The findings highlight that stress-buffering effect varies by individual context and providing case-specific support by characteristics of stressor matters to those who are distressed.

Author

• Ki Tae Park, University of Hawaii, Manoa