Mindful awareness as a predictor of postpartum depression and anxiety among Igbo nursing mothers in Enugu, South-East Nigeria

ABSTRACT In Nigeria, the relationship between mindfulness and postpartum depression and anxiety has gone largely unexamined. A cross-sectional study of 309 randomly selected nursing mothers was conducted at two tertiary health institutions using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The study sought to determine if mindful awareness acted as a predictor of postpartum depression and anxiety in Igbo nursing mothers and the proportion of the dependent variables (postpartum depression and anxiety) explained by the addition of new independent variables (age, educational attainment and mindful awareness). Mindful awareness accounted for most of the variance at 16.5%. And 19.1% for postpartum depression and postpartum, respectively. Lower levels of mindful awareness predicted higher levels of postpartum depression and anxiety. The study may contribute to the existing body of knowledge needed in establishing preventive strategies, early detection, and treatment for women at risk.