Objectives : The purpose of this study was to explain the relationship among maternal identity, role attainment and postpartum depression. Methods : Data for 115 postpartum mothers was collected in the C university hospital and 2 Health Centers of registered postpartum mothers over one month period from August to September, 1999. Two Semantic Differential Scales(Myself as Mother and the My Baby), the Pharis Self-confidence Scale and the Postpartum Depression Scale were used by the interviewers. The statistical analyses employed were the t-test, paired t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. Results : 1. The Mean scores of the Myself as Mother scales(M=68.29) and My Baby scale(M=80.88) during the postpartum periods(8 weeks) were lower than those of the 4 weeks(Mean scores of the Myself as Mother=55.06 and My Baby scale=66.21), showing the Myself as Mother(t=11.37, p=0.00), My Baby(t=14.61, p=0.00). 2. The mean scores of the role attainment(M=76.42) during the postpartum periods(8 weeks) were higher than those of the 4 weeks(72.62), showing the role attainment(t=-4.14, p=0.00). 3. Demographic characteristics related to My Baby were maternal age(F=3.28, p=0.02) and feeding method(F=7.24, p=0.00). Breast feeding mothers reported more positive perception of her baby than bottle feeding mothers. Demographic characteristics related to role attainment were duration of marriage (t=2.43 p=0.02) and parity (t=-2.20, p=0.03). 4. Postpartum depression demonstrated a significant negative relationship to all measures of maternal identity and role attainment by 4 weeks after birth(r=-0.34, p=0.00, r=-0.33, p=0.00, r=-0.21, p=0.03). Maternal identity were negatively correlated with role attainment(r=-0.28, p=0.00) and role attainment were negatively correlated with postpartum depression by 8 weeks after birth(r=-0.35, p=0.00). Conclusions : Postpartum depression demonstrated negative relationship with the mother's sense of her competence. Early identification for postpartum depression could improve a mother's interactions with her baby and enhance the perceptions of herself as a good mother.