Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research1735-90662012015030110512EN20150301<p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p> <p><strong>Background:</strong> Self-esteem is a determinant factor of mental health. Individuals with low self-esteem have depression, and low self-esteem is one of main symptoms of depression. Aim of this study is to compare the effects of problem-solving skills and relaxation on the score of self-esteem in women with postpartum depression.</p> <p><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> This clinical trial was performed on 80 women. Sampling was done in Mashhad healthy centers from December 2009 to June 2010. Women were randomly divided and assigned to problem-solving skills (n = 26), relaxation (n = 26), and control groups (n = 28). Interventions were implemented for 6 weeks and the subjects again completed Eysenck self-esteem scale 9 weeks after delivery. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics, Kruskal&ndash;Wallis test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test by SPSS software.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> The fi ndings showed that the mean of self-esteem scale scores was 117.9 &plusmn; 9.7 after intervention in the problem-solving group, 117.0 &plusmn; 11.8 in the relaxation group, and 113.5 &plusmn; 10.4 in the control group and there was signifi cant difference between the groups of relaxation and problem solving, and also between intervention groups and control group.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> According to the results, problem-solving skills and relaxation can be used to prevent and recover from postpartum depression.</p> <p><strong>Key words:</strong> Postpartum depression, problem-solving skills training, relaxation, self-esteem</p>http://ijnmr.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijnmr/article/view/1131http://ijnmr.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijnmr/article/download/1131/839