Abstract
Aim
The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to newborn care in the relationship between perceived spousal support and comfort level of women in the early postpartum period.
Method
This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 337 women who were in their first week postpartum (0–7 days). Data were collected online via web-based platforms between November 8, 2025, and February 13, 2026. The data collection tools used in the study were the “Personal Information Form”, “The Scale of Perceived Spousal Support among Women in the Early Postpartum Period (SPSSWEPP)”, “Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PCQ)”, and “Obsessive and Compulsive Behaviors Scale of Mothers in the Postpartum Period Regarding Baby Care (OCBCSMPRBC)”. In the analysis of the research data, descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were applied. To examine the statistical indirect associations, Model 4 of the PROCESS macro was used. The significance of the indirect estimate was evaluated with a 95% confidence interval over 5000 bootstrap samples. The significance level was determined as p < 0.05. It should be noted that given the cross-sectional design of this study, the mediation model is interpreted as representing statistical associations rather than establishing causal pathways.
Results
The total scale scores of the women participating in the study were 62.33 ± 12.35 for SPSSWEPP, 119.29 ± 17.41 for PCQ, and 25.45 ± 8.29 for OCBCSMPRBC. A moderate positive and significant relationship was found between spousal support and comfort (r = 0.36, p < 0.001). A low-level positive and significant relationship was observed between comfort and obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). However, no significant relationship was found between spousal support and obsessive-compulsive behaviors (r = 0.03, p > 0.05). Regarding the mediation analysis, spousal support demonstrated a significant positive association with postpartum comfort level (B = 0.509, p < 0.001). Furthermore, obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to baby care did not show a statistically significant mediating role in this association (B = 0.0098, 95% CI [-0.0272, 0.0468], p = 0.604).
Conclusion
In the study, it was determined that as the perceived spousal support of women in the early postpartum period increased, their comfort levels also increased. However, obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care did not have a mediating role in the relationship between spousal support and comfort level.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09611-2.
Keywords: Early postpartum period, Spousal support, Postpartum comfort, Obsessive compulsive behavior, Newborn
Introduction
The early postpartum period, which begins after childbirth and covers the first week, is a process in which women experience both physiological and psychological changes and try to adapt to this situation [1, 2]. During this period, women not only show symptoms of physical recovery but also try to adapt psychosocially [3]. For women, this situation can be expressed as a renewal in terms of themselves, their newborns, and family health, but it may also lead to being perceived as a crisis [4]. At the same time, spousal support is of particular importance during this process [5]. Because receiving support from the individual with whom parenting responsibilities are shared enables the woman to feel comfortable both physiologically and psychologically [6, 7]. When the studies conducted are examined, it is seen that the lack or insufficiency of spousal support in the postpartum period negatively ıs associated with women psychologically and leads to a decrease in their quality of life [8, 9]. However, it has been determined that women who report receiving sufficient support from their spouses in the early postpartum period have higher comfort levels [10]. In a study conducted by Gülşen and Merih (2018), it was determined that 70.2% of postpartum women expected support from their spouses [11].
The concept of comfort used for the postpartum period refers to the quality of life of the woman during the process [10]. In the early postpartum period, women’s comfort levels can be affected not only by the support they receive from their spouses but also by conditions such as pain, bleeding, hygienic needs, changes in nutritional patterns, breastfeeding, and baby care [12]. Despite all these conditions, the woman strives to maintain the care of the baby and adapt to her new life during this process [13]. Mental disorders may occur in 85% of women who try to adapt to the process [14]. However, studies in the literature on the postpartum period generally focus on anxiety or depression. In fact, the main source of psychological changes occurring in women during this process is the behaviors arising from their thoughts about their babies [15]. In addition, these thoughts may cause obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) in women [16]. When the literature is examined, it is reported that women in the postpartum period experience OCD at a rate 1.5–2 times higher [17, 18]. During this process, women may show OCD symptoms in the form of obsessive behaviors due to the thought that the newborn may be harmed and by exhibiting excessive protective attitudes toward their babies [19]. When the literature is examined, it is seen that there are studies on spousal support or comfort in the postpartum period [10, 20]. Recent literature highlights that spousal support serves as a critical buffer for maternal psychological well-being, influencing how mothers adapt to the postpartum period [21]. Furthermore, the early postpartum period is often associated with the emergence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, where mothers may experience intrusive thoughts regarding infant safety [22]. Such thoughts are identified as key factors that interfere with maternal comfort levels, as highlighted in recent assessments of postpartum adaptation.Despite the established link between spousal support and maternal comfort, the literature often evaluates these variables through direct associations. There remains a gap in understanding the complex interplay between these variables during the sensitive 0–7 day postpartum period. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationships between spousal support, obsessive-compulsive behaviors regarding newborn care, and maternal comfort. Specifically, we investigate whether obsessive-compulsive behaviors function as a mechanism through which spousal support influences maternal comfort, or if they contribute independently to this process during the immediate aftermath of childbirth. By testing these pathways, we aim to clarify if spousal support facilitates maternal comfort by mitigating the cognitive burden of obsessive-compulsive thoughts, or if these factors operate as distinct predictors of the postpartum experience.
Therefore, within this scope, the research questions aimed to be answered in the study are listed as follows:
Is there a positive relationship between spousal support and comfort level in the early postpartum period?
Is there a positive relationship between spousal support and obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care in the early postpartum period?
Is there a positive relationship between obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care and comfort level?
Do obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care mediate the relationship between spousal support and comfort level in the early postpartum period?
Material and method
Type and purpose of the study
The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the mediating role of obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to newborn care in the relationship between perceived spousal support and comfort level of women in the early postpartum period.
Population and sample of the study
The population of the study consisted of women in the postpartum period who gave birth within 0–7 days, and a power analysis was performed using the G*Power 3.1.7 program in sample size calculation [23]. Since mediation analyses are regression-based, a multiple linear regression model (deviation of R² from zero) under the F test family was used in the calculation. In the analysis, a medium effect size (f² = 0.15), significance level (α = 0.05), and statistical power (1 − β) = 0.80 were assumed. Under these parameters, the minimum required sample size was calculated as 72 [24]. The final sample size used in the study was calculated as 337, which is well above the minimum requirement.
Inclusion criteria
Women who were in the early postpartum period, voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, and had access to online platforms (WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram) were included in the study. The research was conducted with women who were able to read and write in Turkish and who were in the same environment with their babies.
Data collection
The data of the study were collected online via the web between 08.11.2025 and 13.02.2026. The data collection tools were shared by the researchers on social media platforms (Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc.). The consent of the participants, indicating that they voluntarily participated in the study, was obtained in the first part of the online form. Data collection took approximately 25 min per participant.
Data collection tools
The online questionnaire created as a data collection tool in the study consists of a total of 4 sections. The first section includes the “Personal Information Form”, the second section includes the “The Scale of Perceived Spousal Support among Women in the Early Postpartum Period (SPSSWEPP)”, the third section includes the “Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PCQ)”, and the fourth section includes the “Obsessive and Compulsive Behaviors Scale of Mothers in the Postpartum Period Regarding Baby Care (OCBCSMPRBC)”.
Personal information form
The form was created by the researchers in line with the literature review [25, 26]. The form consists of a total of 15 questions, including 1 open-ended and 14 closed-ended questions. The questions are related to the demographic, obstetric, and postpartum periods of the puerperal women.
The Scale of Perceived Spousal Support among Women in the Early Postpartum Period (SPSSWEPP)
The scale, developed by Şahin et al. to determine the support received by women from their spouses in the early postpartum period, consists of 3 sub-dimensions (“emotional support, social support, and physical support”) and 16 items [27]. The lowest score that can be obtained from this 5-point Likert-type scale is 16, and the highest score is 80. As the total score obtained from the scale increases, the perceived spousal support increases. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale is 0.87. In this study, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.912.
Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PCQ)
The scale, developed by Karakaplan and Yıldız to determine the comfort level of women in the postpartum period regardless of the mode of delivery, consists of 3 sub-dimensions (“physical comfort, psychospiritual comfort, and sociocultural comfort”) and 34 items [12]. The lowest score that can be obtained from this 5-point Likert-type scale is 34, and the highest score is 170. As the score obtained from the scale increases, the level of comfort increases. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale is 0.78. In this study, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.866.
Obsessive and Compulsive Behaviors Scale of Mothers in the Postpartum Period Regarding Baby Care (OCBCSMPRBC)
The scale, developed by Özdemir et al. (2019) to determine obsessive and compulsive behaviors of women in the postpartum period regarding baby care, consists of a single dimension and 9 items [28]. The lowest score that can be obtained from this 5-point Likert-type scale is 9, and the highest score is 45. As the score obtained from the scale increases, obsessive and compulsive behaviors of women toward their babies also increase. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale is 0.75. In this study, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.848.
Ethical considerations
Ethical approval was obtained from the Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University in Türkiye (Decision Number: 01.30, Decision Date: 07.11.2025, Number: 641947). The study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. In the first section of the online form created by the researchers for the purpose of data collection, participants were provided with information about the study, and later in the form they were asked to answer the question: “Do you voluntarily agree to participate in the study?” The 337 individuals reached in the study consisted of those who stated that they had volunteered to take part in the study. However, due to the nature of the online system, it has not been possible to determine how many people, despite making this declaration, subsequently decided not to participate in the later stages. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and consent was obtained from participants through their declaration of voluntary participation in the first part of the online questionnaire. Informed consent was obtained online from all women participating in the study.
Data analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0. Descriptive statistics were presented as means and standard deviations. Prior to the main analyses, normality assumptions were assessed using skewness and kurtosis values. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the linear relationships among the study variables. To test the mediation hypothesis that OCBCSMPRBC mediate the relationship between SPSSWEPP and PCQ, a mediation analysis was conducted using Hayes (2018) PROCESS Macro (Model 4). In the model, spousal support was specified as the independent variable (X), obsessive-compulsive behaviors as the mediator (M), and postpartum comfort as the dependent variable (Y). The analysis examined the effect of spousal support on obsessive-compulsive behaviors (path a), the effect of obsessive-compulsive behaviors on postpartum comfort (path b), the direct effect of spousal support on postpartum comfort (path c), and the indirect effect of spousal support on postpartum comfort through obsessive-compulsive behaviors (a × b). Indirect effects were estimated using 5,000 bootstrap samples. The significance of the indirect effect was evaluated using bias-corrected 95% bootstrap confidence intervals. A mediation effect was considered statistically significant when the confidence interval for the indirect effect did not include zero. Given the cross-sectional design of the study, the mediation analysis was interpreted in terms of statistical associations rather than causal relationships. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Results
The mean age of the women participating in the study was 29.74 ± 5.77 (age range 18–47). It was determined that 47.8% of the women had an education level of university or higher. It was found that 35.3% of the women were experiencing their first pregnancy and 72.4% had not experienced an abortion. In the study, 43.0% of the participants were found to have one child. It was determined that 70.9% of the women gave birth by cesarean section, while 54.3% did not experience any complications after childbirth. It was found that 74.2% of the women had planned pregnancies and 97.0% had not received any psychological diagnosis during pregnancy. It was determined that 58.8% of the women received information about baby care, and 44.8% received this information from midwives/nurses. While 64.7% of the women stated that they received completely sufficient support from their spouses during pregnancy, 59.9% reported that their spouses stayed with them in the hospital after childbirth. It was determined that 69.1% of the women evaluated the support they received from their spouses in the postpartum period as completely sufficient. It was found that 35.6% of the women’s anxiety regarding baby care was due to the thought of not being able to feed the baby sufficiently (Table 1).
Table 1.
Distribution of the demographic characteristics of the participants (n = 337)
| Mean ± Sd | Min-Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 29,74 ± 5,77 | 18–47 |
| Variable | n | % |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Status | ||
| Illiterate | 14 | 4.1 |
| Primary school | 17 | 5.0 |
| Middle school | 38 | 11.3 |
| High school | 107 | 31.8 |
| University and above | 161 | 47.8 |
| Number of Pregnancies (Gravida) | ||
| First pregnancy | 119 | 35.3 |
| Second pregnancy | 104 | 30.9 |
| Third pregnancy | 86 | 25.5 |
| Fourth or more | 28 | 8.3 |
| History of Miscarriage | ||
| No miscarriage | 244 | 72.4 |
| Once | 72 | 21.4 |
| Twice | 15 | 4.4 |
| Three or more | 6 | 1.8 |
| Number of Children (Parity) | ||
| One child | 145 | 43.0 |
| Two children | 111 | 32.9 |
| Three children | 65 | 19.3 |
| Four or more | 16 | 4.8 |
| Mode of Delivery | ||
| Vaginal delivery | 98 | 29.1 |
| Cesarean section | 239 | 70.9 |
| Postpartum Complications | ||
| None | 183 | 54.3 |
| Severe pain | 117 | 34.7 |
| Severe bleeding | 13 | 3.9 |
| Anxiety | 15 | 4.5 |
| Nausea/vomiting due to anesthesia | 9 | 2.6 |
| Planned Pregnancy Status | ||
| Yes | 250 | 74.2 |
| No | 87 | 25.8 |
| Psychological Diagnosis During Pregnancy | ||
| Yes | 10 | 3.0 |
| No | 327 | 97.0 |
| Received Information on Infant Care | ||
| Yes | 198 | 58.8 |
| No | 139 | 41.2 |
| Source of Information on Infant Care | ||
| Did not receive information | 96 | 28.5 |
| Physician | 37 | 11.0 |
| Midwife/nurse | 151 | 44.8 |
| Internet | 26 | 7.7 |
| Social environment | 27 | 8.0 |
| Spousal Psychological Support During Pregnancy | ||
| No support | 13 | 3.9 |
| Inadequate | 20 | 5.9 |
| Partially adequate | 70 | 20.8 |
| Completely adequate | 218 | 64.7 |
| Undecided | 16 | 4.7 |
| Did Your Spouse Stay with You in the Hospital? | ||
| Yes | 202 | 59.9 |
| No | 135 | 40.1 |
| Spousal Psychological Support in the Postpartum Period | ||
| No support | 8 | 2.4 |
| Inadequate | 12 | 3.6 |
| Partially adequate | 75 | 22.3 |
| Completely adequate | 233 | 69.1 |
| Undecided | 9 | 2.6 |
| Concerns About Infant Care | ||
| I think I will not be able to cope | 90 | 26.7 |
| I fear I may harm the baby while touching | 30 | 8.9 |
| I think I will not be able to feed adequately | 120 | 35.6 |
| I am afraid of being alone | 38 | 11.3 |
| I think I may transmit an infection | 59 | 17.5 |
| Total | 337 | 100 |
Mean average, SD Standard deviation, Min Minimum, Max Maximum
The total scale scores of the women participating in the study were 62.33 ± 12.35 [min = 16–max = 80] for SPSSWEPP, 119.29 ± 17.4135 [min = 34–max = 170] for PCQ, and 25.45 ± 8.29 [min = 9–max = 45] for OCBCSMPRBC (Table 2).
Table 2.
Mean, standard deviation, and correlation values of the scales
| Scale Information | Mean | Sd. | Min- Maks | PSSWEPP | PCQ | OCBCSMPRBC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPSSWEPP | 62.33 | 12.35 | 16–80 | 1.00 | - | - |
| PCQ | 119.29 | 17.41 | 34–170 | 0.36** | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| OCBCSMPRBC | 25.45 | 8.29 | 9–45 | 0.03 | 0.25** | - |
SPSSWEPP The Scale of Perceived Spousal Support among Women in the Early Postpartum Period, PCQ Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire, OCBCSMPRBC Obsessive and Compulsive Behaviors Scale of Mothers in the Postpartum Period Regarding Baby Care
**p < 0.001
The associations between spousal support, maternal comfort, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors OCB related to newborn care are presented in Table 2. We observed a moderate, significant positive association between spousal support and maternal comfort (r = 0.36, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant, low-level positive association was identified between maternal comfort and OCB (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Conversely, no significant statistical association was observed between spousal support and OCB (r = 0.03, p > 0.05).
According to the results of the mediation analysis, spousal support demonstrated a significant positive association with postpartum comfort level (B = 0.509, p < 0.001). However, obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to baby care did not act as a statistically significant mediator in this relationship (B = 0.0098, 95% CI [-0.0272, 0.0468], p = 0.604). Since the confidence interval of the indirect effect includes zero, the mediation hypothesis was not supported. These findings suggest that spousal support is directly associated with higher levels of postpartum comfort, independent of the obsessive-compulsive behaviors measured in this study. When the standardized coefficients are examined, it is seen that the effect of spousal support on postpartum comfort is at a moderate level (β = 0.354), while the effect of obsessive-compulsive behaviors on comfort is at a small-to-moderate level (β = 0.244). However, the effect of spousal support on obsessive-compulsive behaviors is quite low (β = 0.028) (Fig. 1; Table 3). When the effects of the covariates on PCQ scores were examined, a psychological diagnosis during pregnancy was not significantly associated with PCQ scores (β = 0.0296, p = 0.606). Similarly, psychological support received from the spouse during the postpartum period (β = 0.0343, p = 0.547) and planned pregnancy status (β = 0.0527, p = 0.297) were not significant factors in relation to PCQ scores. In contrast, psychological support received from the spouse during pregnancy was found to be significantly and positively associated with PCQ scores (β = 0.1318, p = 0.016). Furthermore, postpartum complications were significantly and negatively associated with PCQ scores (β = -0.2805, p < 0.001), indicating that women who experienced postpartum complications reported lower PCQ scores compared to those who did not. Overall, among the covariates examined, only psychological support received from the spouse during pregnancy and postpartum complications showed significant associations with the study outcomes (Table 3).
Fig. 1.
The mediating role of obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to baby care
Table 3.
Path coefficients, explained variance ratios, and p-values
| Association Type | Label | B | SE | 95% CI Lower | 95% CI Upper | Z | p | % Mediation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indirect | a × b | 0.00980 | 0.0189 | -0.0272 | 0.0468 | 0.519 | 0.604 | 1.92 | ||
| Direct | c | 0.49922 | 0.0691 | 0.3637 | 0.6347 | 7.221 | <.001 | 98.08 | ||
| Total | c + a × b | 0.50902 | 0.0716 | 0.3687 | 0.6494 | 7.109 | <.001 | 100.00 | ||
| Label | B | SE | 95% CI Lower | 95% CI Upper | Z | p | β | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPSSWEPP | → | OCBCSMPRBC | a | 0.0191 | 0.0365 | -0.0525 | 0.0907 | 0.522 | 0.602 | .028 |
| CBCSMPRBC | → | PCQ | b | 0.5134 | 0.1030 | 0.3115 | 0.7153 | 4.984 | <.001 | .244 |
| SPSSWEPP | → | PCQ | c | 0.4992 | 0.0691 | 0.3637 | 0.6347 | 7.221 | <.001 | .354 |
| Covariate | B | SE | 95% CI Lower | 95% CI Upper | Z | p | β | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological Diagnosis During → PCQ | 3.0355 | 5.8734 | -8.5184 | 14.5895 | 0.517 | .606 | 0.0296 | |||
| Spousal Psychological Support During → PCQ | 2.7702 | 1.1465 | 0.5149 | 5.0255 | 2.416 | .016 | 0.1318 | |||
| Spousal Psychological Support in the Postpartum Period → PCQ | 0.8523 | 1.4144 | -1.9302 | 3.6347 | 0.603 | .547 | 0.0343 | |||
| Planned Pregnancy → PCQ | 2.0953 | 2.0042 | -1.8473 | 6.0379 | 1.045 | .297 | 0.0527 | |||
| Postpartum Complications → PCQ | -5.1760 | 0.8768 | -6.9009 | -3.4512 | −5.903 | < .001 | -0.2805 |
In this table, 'Indirect' and 'Direct' refer to the statistical estimates derived from the mediation analysis using the PROCESS macro. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, these terms denote statistical associations rather than causal effects
Discussion
This study was conducted to examine the mediating role of obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care in the relationship between spousal support and comfort level in the early postpartum period, and the findings were discussed in line with the literature:
It was determined that the perceived spousal support levels of women in the early postpartum period participating in the study were at a moderate-high level. Similarly, in the study conducted by Erdoğan and Başaran, it was found that women’s perceived spousal support levels in the early postpartum period were high. In the study conducted by Uludağ and Öztürk, it was determined that the perceived spousal support levels of women in the early postpartum period were at a moderate level [10, 29]. In addition to supporting the literature, it can be stated that spouses, who are considered first-degree relatives, providing sufficient support are important in terms of both physiological and psychological adaptation to the process and feeling comfortable [30]. At the same time, spousal support is shown among the factors affecting women’s comfort levels in the early postpartum period [31]. When the comfort levels of the women participating in this study were examined, it was observed that they were at a moderate-good level. When the studies examining postpartum comfort levels in the literature are reviewed, in the study conducted by Aksoy Derya et al. women’s comfort levels were found to be good. In the results of the study conducted by Ünal and Şenol, it was also determined that the comfort level of women in the postpartum period was at a moderate-good level [32, 33]. In addition to the consistency of the study findings with the literature, it can be stated that spousal support and the ability to undertake their own care and the care of the newborn are effective factors in increasing comfort levels in the postpartum period. Furthermore, it is reported that, although this process is a period in which women try to adapt in every sense, the behaviors exhibited toward newborn care also affect the comfort of the process [19]. When the level of obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care of women in the early postpartum period was examined, it was determined in this study that it was at a low-moderate level. When the studies conducted by Kırca et al. and Kabul and Çınar using the same measurement tool are examined, it is seen that this finding of the current study supports the literature [34, 35]. However, it is thought that the point that should be emphasized in this study is the presence of behaviors at a moderate level. Being at a moderate level may lead to the development of obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care. Therefore, at this point, it may be important to follow women in the postpartum period in terms of this aspect in the future. In addition, it is thought that this finding in the present study emerged because the study was conducted with women in the early postpartum period, as sufficient adaptation or experience may not yet have been achieved during this process.
The first question of this study was to examine the existence of a positive relationship between spousal support and comfort level in the early postpartum period. When the findings were examined, it was seen that there was a moderate positive relationship between spousal support and comfort. Similarly, in a very recent study, it was also found that spousal support positively ıs associated with comfort level [10]. Although it does not directly examine the effect of spousal support on comfort level in the early postpartum period, when studies focusing on factors affecting comfort, defined as quality of life, are examined, in a study examining the relationship between breastfeeding, which is among the most important factors for a woman in this process, and spousal support, it was determined that there is a positive relationship between perceived spousal support level and breastfeeding self-efficacy [36]. In another study conducted by Metin et al. it was found that as the level of perceived spousal support of women in the early postpartum period increased, maternal blues, which is considered a psychological problem that can directly affect comfort, decreased and breastfeeding self-efficacy increased [36]. In addition to supporting the literature, the findings of the study suggest that spousal support is an important parameter in terms of comfort in the early postpartum period.
In the second question of this study, it was aimed to evaluate whether there is a positive relationship between spousal support and obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care in the early postpartum period. However, when the findings of the study were examined, no relationship was found between spousal support and obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care. Among the factors effective in the occurrence of obsessive and compulsive behaviors, the inadequacy of social support systems is shown [15]. The inadequacy of support systems in the early postpartum period leads to the emergence of psychological problems in women [37]. No similar study supporting this finding of the study was found in the literature. However, it is thought that this finding may have emerged because the perceived spousal support levels of the women participating in our study were at a moderate-high level, leading them to think that they would be supported in newborn care.
In the third question of the study, the relationship between obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care and comfort level was examined. The findings show that there is a low-level positive and significant relationship between these two variables, meaning that as obsessive-compulsive behaviors increase, a slight increase in comfort is also observed. In the literature, it is reported that obsessive-compulsive behaviors increase along with breastfeeding, inadequate baby care, and increasing concerns about the health of the baby and the mother during the postpartum period, and that mothers’ anxiety levels regarding their babies are at a moderate-high level [38, 39]. When these findings are considered collectively, it may initially be inferred that, provided they do not reach a pathological level, such behaviors could support mothers’ perceptions of comfort by increasing attentiveness and a sense of control. However, this positive association should be interpreted with caution. The observed low-level correlation may not reflect a direct “comfort-enhancing” effect of obsessive–compulsive symptoms; rather, it may represent certain maternal adaptation mechanisms. In this context, the finding may be explained from several alternative perspectives. First, this association may be related not to pathological obsessive–compulsive symptoms but to the increased sensitivity to infant needs during the postpartum period, a phenomenon described in the literature as maternal vigilance [40, 41]. Second, the perceived sense of control achieved through infant caregiving may enable mothers to reduce uncertainty, thereby fostering a short-term sense of relief or comfort [42]. Therefore, it is important that our findings not be conflated with obsessive–compulsive disorder in clinical practice. The behaviors assessed in the present study are limited to functional and adaptive efforts within the postpartum adjustment process, and further longitudinal research is needed to clarify their developmental trajectory and implications.
In the final part of the study, we aimed to evaluate whether obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care play a mediating role in the relationship between spousal support and comfort level in the early postpartum period. Our findings indicate a strong and significant statistical association between spousal support and comfort level. However, the hypothesized indirect association through obsessive-compulsive behaviors was not supported by the data.This situation may indicate that the support a woman receives from her spouse not only provides emotional relief but also increases comfort level in terms of baby care. However, it was observed that obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to newborn care did not have a mediating role in this relationship. All of these findings reveal that spousal support is a factor that directly ıs associated with comfort, whereas obsessive-compulsive behaviors do not play a mediating role.
Standardized coefficients show that although the effect of spousal support is at a moderate level, the effect of obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to newborn care on comfort is at a small-to-moderate level; moreover, the effect of spousal support on obsessive and compulsive behaviors is very low. These findings emphasize that spousal support is a critical resource in strengthening maternal comfort in the postpartum period and indicate that obsessive-compulsive tendencies may only be functional at certain levels and have limited effect in terms of ındirect association. Similarly, in the literature, while spousal support increases mothers’ psychological well-being and comfort, obsessive-compulsive tendencies may only be functional at moderate levels [35, 43, 44]. In this context, strengthening social support programs for mothers in the postpartum period and encouraging the active role of the spouse are important in terms of both increasing maternal comfort and supporting psychological well-being. Among the covariates examined in this study, only psychological support received from the spouse during pregnancy and the presence of postpartum complications were identified as significant predictors of postpartum comfort. The findings indicated that women who received psychological support from their spouses during pregnancy reported higher levels of postpartum comfort. This result highlights the protective role of social support on maternal well-being during both pregnancy and the postpartum period. In particular, spousal support has been reported to facilitate women’s coping with pregnancy-related stress, promote adaptation to the maternal role, and strengthen perceptions of self-efficacy [45, 46]. Recent studies have also demonstrated that perceived social support during pregnancy has positive effects on maternal mental health, psychological adjustment, and postpartum well-being [47–49]. Another noteworthy finding was that psychological support received from the spouse during the postpartum period was not significantly associated with postpartum comfort. Although this result may appear unexpected at first glance, psychological support received during pregnancy may represent a more fundamental resource in shaping women’s psychological preparedness for childbirth and motherhood. Emotional support provided throughout pregnancy may contribute to feelings of security, enhance coping abilities, and foster positive expectations regarding the maternal role, thereby influencing perceptions of comfort after childbirth. In contrast, postpartum comfort is influenced not only by spousal support but also by numerous factors, including physical recovery, childcare responsibilities, sleep quality, breastfeeding experiences, and satisfaction with healthcare services. Therefore, it is plausible that the independent effect of postpartum spousal support did not emerge as statistically significant. Another important finding of the study was that women who experienced postpartum complications reported significantly lower levels of postpartum comfort. This finding is consistent with previous studies indicating that health problems occurring during the postpartum period negatively affect women’s physical, psychological, and social well-being [50, 51]. Postpartum complications may result in pain, fatigue, limitations in daily activities, difficulties in infant care, and increased health-related concerns. Such challenges may hinder maternal adaptation to the postpartum period and consequently reduce perceptions of comfort. The literature further suggests that postpartum morbidity and postpartum health problems adversely affect women’s quality of life, psychological well-being, and postpartum adjustment [52, 53]. In contrast, having received a psychological diagnosis during pregnancy was not found to be a significant predictor of postpartum comfort. This finding may be attributable to the limited number of women with psychological diagnoses in the sample or to the possibility that those women received professional support throughout pregnancy. Furthermore, maternal adjustment and comfort during the postpartum period are influenced not only by previous psychiatric history but also by current stress levels, available social support resources, and postpartum experiences. Research has shown that perceived social support during the postpartum period is among the strongest determinants of maternal mental health, quality of life, and psychosocial well-being [54]. In addition, perceived social support during pregnancy has been reported to reduce depressive symptoms and promote postpartum adjustment [55]. Therefore, the impact of pre-existing psychological risk factors may have been attenuated by the influence of current support systems following childbirth. Similarly, the planned nature of pregnancy was not found to be a significant predictor of postpartum comfort. Although unintended pregnancies have been associated with certain adverse psychological outcomes, the literature suggests that this relationship is largely influenced by factors such as relationship quality and social support. Barton et al. reported that the association between unintended pregnancy and psychological distress could be substantially explained by social support and the quality of partner relationships [56]. Furthermore, maternal well-being has been shown to vary across the transition from pregnancy to the postpartum period, with current postpartum experiences, physical recovery, and support received from the social environment emerging as important determinants [57]. In this context, the absence of an independent effect of pregnancy planning status on postpartum comfort in the present study may reflect the multidimensional nature of postpartum comfort, which appears to be shaped more strongly by postpartum conditions and existing support systems than by whether the pregnancy was planned. Overall, these findings suggest that postpartum comfort cannot be explained solely by obstetric or demographic factors and should instead be considered within a biopsychosocial framework. Interventions aimed at strengthening spousal support during pregnancy, together with care practices designed to prevent postpartum complications, may make important contributions to improving women’s postpartum comfort.
Conclusion
In this study, it was determined that there is a direct relationship between perceived spousal support and comfort levels of women in the early postpartum period. As spousal support increases in the early postpartum period, women’s comfort levels also increase. In terms of the mediating role, when obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to newborn care were included in the relationship between spousal support and comfort level, it was determined that they did not have any effect. It was found that obsessive-compulsive behaviors of women in the early postpartum period regarding newborn care were at a low level. In this context, since examining the entire postpartum period may reveal different results, it is recommended that studies on this subject should be increased. While previous literature highlights the protective role of social support in postpartum mental health, our findings suggest that spousal support and obsessive-compulsive behaviors function as distinct, independent predictors of maternal comfort. Rather than a indirect association effect, our results indicate that spousal support provides a direct buffer for maternal well-being, while obsessive-compulsive behaviors exert a unique, independent stressor effect. This supports a model where these two constructs operate through separate pathways in the early postpartum period, contributing independently to the overall comfort level.
Limitations
A major limitation of this study is its cross-sectional design, which restricts our ability to infer causal relationships. Because all variables were measured simultaneously, we cannot establish temporal precedence, which is a fundamental requirement for confirming causal mediation. Consequently, the findings from the indirect effect analysis should be interpreted as reflecting cross-sectional statistical associations rather than causal pathways. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to provide a more definitive understanding of the sequential relationship between spousal support, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and postpartum comfort. This study utilized an online convenience sampling strategy, which presents potential limitations regarding generalizability and selection bias. Data collection via social media platforms may have inadvertently excluded women with limited digital literacy or restricted internet access, potentially leading to an overrepresentation of technologically proficient individuals. Additionally, the immediate postpartum period (0–7 days) is characterized by high levels of physical and emotional strain, including fatigue, pain, and caregiving burden. Although we took steps to ensure the questionnaire was concise, the burden of responding during this vulnerable period may have introduced response bias. Future research should strive for more representative sampling methods, such as clinical or hospital-based recruitment, to mitigate these biases and ensure the inclusion of women across diverse socioeconomic and digital backgrounds.
Supplementary Information
Authors’ contributions
YY,ÖA, HİGS wrote the main manuscript, performed data analysis and interpretation and prepared the tables and figures. YY,ÖA, HİGS assisted with data analysis and figures. YY assisted with methods and data analysis. YY, HİGS contributed to data interpretation and implications as well as to the writing and review of the manuscript. YY,ÖA and HİGS reviewed and provided feedback on the manuscript.
Funding
No funding or sponsorship was received from companies, groups, individuals, organizations, or other entities.
Data availability
The data analyzed in this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.
Declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Ethical approval was obtained from the Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University in Türkiye (Decision Number: 01.30, Decision Date: 07.11.2025, Number: 641947). The study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. In the first section of the online form created by the researchers for the purpose of data collection, participants were provided with information about the study, and later in the form they were asked to answer the question: “Do you voluntarily agree to participate in the study?” The 337 individuals reached in the study consisted of those who stated that they had volunteered to take part in the study. However, due to the nature of the online system, it has not been possible to determine how many people, despite making this declaration, subsequently decided not to participate in the later stages. Informed consent was obtained online from all women participating in the study.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Footnotes
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
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Supplementary Materials
Data Availability Statement
The data analyzed in this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.