Dyadic associations between multiple screen addiction and postpartum depression: A couple-based study of mothers and fathers

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects both parents, yet its association with multiple screen addiction (MSA) remains under-researched, particularly within family systems. To address this gap using a couple-based perspective, this study evaluated the relationship between PPD and MSA in 83 mother–father dyads recruited from a primary care setting in Türkiye. Participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Multiple Screen Addiction Scale (MSAS). Results indicated that mothers had higher PPD scores, while fathers exhibited higher MSA levels. Significant positive correlations were observed between PPD and MSA within individuals, and scores were also significantly correlated between partners. Multivariable linear regression analyses identified significant individual and inter-partner associations between depressive symptoms and screen addiction in both parents. These findings suggest that postpartum mental health and screen use behaviors may be interconnected within couples, highlighting the importance of evaluating both parents together to better understand inter-partner dynamics during the postpartum period.