Exploring the Role of Social Support in Postpartum Well-Being with a Psychometric Approach

Abstract The Czech version of the Social Support Survey Instrument (CZ-SSSI) was developed and validated to assess social support among postpartum women, a crucial factor in mitigating mental health challenges during the perinatal period. This cross-sectional study recruited 486 Czech postpartum women via online platforms focused on motherhood and childcare. The CZ-SSSI was translated using a forward and backward method, with psychometric validation conducted through confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency testing (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s Omega), and validity assessments using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The results demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.9 across subscales), confirming the robustness of the four-factor model. Convergent validity was established through significant correlations with mental health measures, and the instrument effectively distinguished between groups with differing levels of depression and infant health status. The CZ-SSSI is a reliable and valid tool for assessing postpartum social support, with potential applications in both clinical assessment and perinatal mental health research. By providing a standardized measure, this instrument can contribute to a better understanding of the role of social support in postpartum well-being and inform targeted interventions to support maternal mental health.