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Experimental Method Design Project
Impact of different types of support systems on postpartum depression in women
The research question under study is the degree to which support structures can affect the severity of the symptoms of postpartum depression. Other questions that may be considered include whether certain support structures are more valuable than others, such as the father of the child vs. family members and friends, or formal, professional supportive structures such as through a hospital or school.
Selection
The first difficulty of studying women with postpartum depression is finding women who can be the object of study. Not all women suffer from postpartum depression, so a generalized study of pregnant women is not sufficient. The most appropriate methodology would be to study women currently identified as suffering from postpartum depression. Subjects could be contacted through physicians and also through soliciting volunteers through advertisements on parenting-themed websites. They could also be contacted through the venue of the university's website, which advertises for volunteers to participate in research-based studies. The utility of the study must be stressed, as well as the confidentiality of the study.
After initial screening interviews are conducted, the women should be asked to take a questionnaire regarding the severity of their symptoms, family situation, and finally treatment. Supportive structures will include institutional ones (such as...
Although the study design is qualitative in nature, this will provide an additional, supportive database of quantitative results.
Method
The primary method used will be that of 'grounded research' of the target population. Women will be interviewed, and based upon the interviews their responses will be 'coded' for specific references to support structures that proved to be helpful or unhelpful. The most obvious initial support structure to be coded will be that of the involvement of the child's father. Other family, medical staff and professional assistance will be assessed in terms of degree of support, and also as positive/negative supports. (Although the family may be present as a support structure, it may not necessarily be positive). Medical intervention, past history, talk therapy, and other factors that could affect depression will be flagged as indicators that could affect the progression of the illness.
Grounded research
Grounded research 'coding' allows the researcher to create concepts to explain the pattern of coding (such as the notion of support), and then evolves into generating categories and theories about the research. It is inductive, rather than deductive in nature. This allows for greater flexibility in allowing the subjects' own voices to guide the research and to speak for themselves. I feel this is very important, regarding the subject of postpartum depression, given that women have often not been…
The women in the study will be subjected to a 'follow up' series of interviews within six months, after the initial series of interviews. This will allow the research to be contextualized in terms of the women's recovery or trajectory of the illness, to assess the impact of support after identification and treatment in the long-term.
Reference
Borgatti, Steve. (n.d). Introduction to grounded research. Retrieved July 23, 2011 at http://www.analytictech.com/mb870/introtoGT.htm
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