Engineering a Human-Centred Web Platform for Supporting Postpartum Mental Health in Mothers of Children with Special Needs

ASM Sc. J., 21(2), 2026

Published on July 16, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.1007

Author: Anggy Trisnadoli, Indah Lestari, Lailanisa Fadlilani, Desy Winda, Mita Fani Tri Mutya, Sarah Aurelia Saragih

Abstract

Postpartum mental health among mothers of children with special needs is a critical yet often overlooked issue, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. This study aims to develop an interactive web platform using a Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach, incorporating multimedia educational content to support maternal mental well -being. Building on a previous phase involving preliminary user data collection and prototype development, the current phase focused on functional web system development, multimedia content production, and early -stage evaluation of user experience and perception. The methodology included user needs assessment through Focus Group Discussions, agile-based system development, and the creation of educational content in various formats, including interactive videos, audio -based infographics, and microlearning modules. A limited user trial was conducted in Pekanbaru involving 80 mothers of children with special needs. Evaluation methods included SUS, TAM, system logs, and interaction heatmaps. Preliminary findings indicate that the HCD approach supported positive perceived usability, user comfort, and platform engagement. The multimedia content showed high engagement, particularly on stress management and emotional support topics. The platform achieved a SUS score of 84, indicating good to excellent usability, with an average session duration of 9 minutes and 43 seconds. However, this phase did not measure clinical mental health outcomes or long-term effectiveness using validated psychological scales. The resulting prototype is technically ready for broader field evaluation and provides a foundation for developing a more integrated and adaptive digital mental health support platform for mothers of children with special needs in Indonesia and similar developing contexts.

Keywords: Human-Centered Design, multimedia education, postpartum mental health, special needs children, web platform