Post-Natal Depression

Review and Analysis of Selected Resources Concerning Post-Natal Depression
In the present day, owing to different factors, a significant number of child bearing women are experiencing post natal depression. Statistics indicate a huge prevalence with 13 percent of women worldwide suffering from post natal depression. The purpose of this research proposal is to develop an entry for selected resources concerning post-natal depression, and to provide a confirmatory analysis of the relevance of the respective resources to the above-stated thesis.
Review and Analysis
Article #1: Moraitou, Galanakis, Stalikas and Garivaldis (2011)
Five key words that relate to the content of the source
Childbirth, positive emotions, post natal depression, resilience, coping
Summary of the research findings
The general topic these researchers are addressing concerns the onset of post-natal depression can be mitigated by helping new mothers develop the coping skills they need to overcome the adverse consequences of depression following childbirth. These authors examined past studies in this area to discover what is already known about this topic and provide an exhaustive list of references in support of their research. The overarching theme that emerged from their research concerned the fact that encouraging the development of positive emotions has been identified as a useful intervention to promote coping resources in post-natal mothers.
Because the birth of a child is widely regarded as inculcating positive emotions in women, it was the hypothesis of these researchers that such positive emotions can be leveraged to mitigate the effects of post-natal depression among a population of 193 women (aged 30 to 34 years) before and after childbirth .The results of this study supported the researchers’ hypothesis and provide evidence for future studies in this area.
Confirmatory analysis
Although other sources cite an approximate 13% prevalence rate of post-natal depression in Western women, Moraitou and her associates (2011) cite studies that place that rate far higher, ranging as high as 34% to 53% among women who have recently given birth. The findings that emerged from this study, however, suggest that all women experience positive emotions following childbirth and these emotions can be used to help them avoid the onset of post-natal depression. It is reasonable to suggest, however, that not all women view childbirth in this positive light, and that the emotions they experience as a result may exacerbate their vulnerability to developing post-natal depression. Indeed, more than half of the participants in this study reported their pregnancies were unplanned, and a small but significant percentage suffered from a wide array of chronic health conditions associated with their pregnancies and that a number of other factors served to mitigate the onset of post-natal depression, including the
Article #2: Stein, Malmberg, Sylva, Barnes & Leach (2008)
Five key words that relate to the content of the source
Caregiving, maternal depression, cognitive development, language acquisition, United Kingdom
Summary of the research findings
Besides the deleterious effects post-natal depression can have on new mothers, the disorder has also been implicated in adversely affecting behavioral and emotional development in children. Although additional studies are needed in this area, the research to date indicates that the adverse impact of post-natal depression on children’s later behavioral and emotional development represents a potential public health threat that requires further investigation. To this end, the general topic under consideration in this study concerned the extent to which maternal depression and caregiving have an effect on children’s language development during their first year of life. This study was novel in that it longitudinally focused on the lived experiences of 1,201 English women for a period of more than 3 years and the participants were evaluated using a broad array of instruments and methods, including a questionnaire, personal interviews and empirical in-home observations and mother-child interactions.
Confirmatory analysis
The findings that emerged from this study provided support for the researchers’ hypothesis that post-natal depression has an adverse effect on children’s language development during their first year of life, but that these effects are diminished by their third year of life. This study employed a rigorous, thoughtful and reliable research strategy that underscored the importance of providing new mothers with the support services they need during the critical period following the birth of their child.
Article #3: Psychological support for mothers can reduce post-natal depression (2010).
Five key words that relate to the content of the source
Health visitor, depression, post-partum, maternal support, nursing training
Summary of the research findings
The general topic of this study was post-natal depression. In line with previous research that indicated new mothers can substantively benefit from trained home visitor who provide them with the support they need during the months following childbirth, this article describes the results of a study that compared new mothers who received trained health visits to provide psychological support with those who did not. The findings that emerged from the reported study provided significant support for the researchers’ hypothesis that fewer new mothers who received these support services would develop post-natal depression at a rate less than those who did not receive these services. The results of this study showed that new mothers who received psychological support services from home visitors suffered post-natal depression at a rate fully 30% less than those new mothers who did not receive these psychological support services from home visitors.
Confirmatory analysis
Although home visitors go by other names in different countries, most provide essentially the same types of support services for new mothers. The results of this study reinforced the need to train home visitors concerning the potential for the development of post-natal depression and what types of psychological support services are best suited for different situations.
Article #4: Hazrat, Humza & Saeed (2017)
Five key words that relate to the content of the source
Depression, Edinburgh post natal depression, lactating mothers, perceptions of insufficient, maternal questionnaire
Summary of the research findings
The general topic of this study concerned the effects of perceptions of adequate breast milk production on the onset of post-natal depression of new mothers. Drawing on previous studies that examined the effects of these perceptions on new mothers, Hazrat and his colleagues used a cross-sectional comparative research strategy to assess these perceptions for a period of 1 year among a population of 100 new mothers to compare the perceptions of depressed and non-depressed lactating mothers with respect to breast feeding patterns and breast milk production. The researchers used a series of instruments with known validity and reliability to collect demographic and breast feeding pattern information. The findings that emerged from this study showed that perceptions of the adequacy of breast milk production were greater among depressed mothers and that additional educational services need to be provided to pregnant women to ensure they fully understand what they should reasonably expect following the birth of their child, a need that is especially pronounced for first-time mothers.
Confirmatory analysis
It is important to point out the Pakistani context of this study. According to Hazrat et al., Pakistani mothers tend to have larger families compared to mothers in many Western nations (i.e., three or more) and that Pakistani mothers who have three or more children are at greater risk of developing post-natal depression than their counterparts with fewer children. Moreover, pregnant women living in rural areas of Pakistan are at far greater risk of developing post-natal depression due to perceptions of breast milk adequacy compared to their urban counterparts.
Article #5: Likierman (2003)
Five key words that relate to the content of the source
Postnatal period; maternal investment; primitive conflict; limit-setting; evolutionary biology; psychical quality
Summary of the research findings
The general topic under investigation in this study was post-natal depression and efficacious interventions for their treatment. In contrast to previous studies that used quantitative methods to assess different variables and their effects on the prevalence of post-natal depression, though, this study used a qualitative case study methodology of a single couple only to evaluate the potential benefits of using a psychodynamic approach for the treatment of post-natal depression. This study was also novel in that it examined the potential benefits of using a psychodynamic parent–infant psychotherapeutic intervention as a treatment model as well as a framework in which to better conceptualize the post-natal period in life. The study used the empirical observations of the participating couple together with the results of the administration of psychoanalytic theory to develop an improved understanding of the state of mind of new mothers and the antecedents to depressive episodes following the birth of their child.
Confirmatory analysis
The author’s conclusion that most new mothers tend to experience a brief period of “the blues” following the birth of their child but naturally tend to overcome this modest depressive episode was in sharp contrast to the findings presented by many other researchers that discounts or otherwise fails to take into account human females’ capacity for resilience and how these attributes can be used to mitigate the effects of post-natal depression.
Article #6: Uguz, Akman, Sahingoz & Kaya (2009)
Five key words that relate to the content of the source
Post-partum depression, personality disorders, follow-up, reproductive life events, women
Summary of the research findings
The general topic of this study concerned persistent post-partum depression and its associated risk factors. Drawing on previous research that focused on the prevalence of post-partum depression among new mothers in developing nations, these authors hypothesized that new mothers who suffered from comorbid personality disorders would experience post-partum depression at higher levels compared to their counterparts with no comorbid personality disorders. Using a population of 34 married Turkish women (mean age = 26.8 years), Uguz and his associates measured depressive symptoms and personality disorders using instruments with proven reliability and validity to establish an initial baseline to compare to a one-year follow-up assessment using the identical instruments. The findings that resulted from this study confirmed the researchers’ guiding hypothesis that new mothers with comorbid personality disorders would suffer from higher rates of post-partum depression compared to their non-afflicted counterparts, indicating the need for special attention for new mothers with comorbid personality disorders.
Confirmatory analysis
While the researchers’ guiding hypothesis was fairly intuitive, they used a rigorous methodology that included the use of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R personality disorders to assess personality disorders and the Edinburgh post-natal depression scale to establish baseline measures 6 weeks post-partum and the one-year follow-up analysis.
Article #7: McManus & Poehlman (2011)
Five key words that relate to the content of the source
Post-partum, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, premature, social support
Summary of the research findings
Drawing on preliminary research that indicates the cognitive function of infants is adversely affected when they are born prematurely, these authors hypothesized that perceived social support and maternal depressive symptoms could be used as accurate predictors of subsequent diminished cognitive function trajectories among new mothers’ infants. This longitudinal study was also ambitious in its objectives and number of participants (i.e., 130 mothers and their infants followed for a period of 3 years who were born preterm defined as fewer than 37 weeks of gestation) among mothers in Wisconsin. Depressive symptoms in the participating mothers, social support levels and cognitive function of the infants were all measured using instruments with known validity and reliability. The results that emerged from this study provided strong support for the guiding hypothesis. Based on these findings, the authors recommend that socially disadvantaged mothers should receive special support since they are at greater risk of developing post-natal depression.
.Confirmatory analysis
Although not entirely unexpected, the findings by McManus and Poehlman that the symptoms of post-natal depression are implicated in the diminished cognitive functioning of newborn infants through 3 years of age were especially noteworthy since it is reasonable to posit that these infants are already at greater risk given their premature birth status. Moreover, the authors’ recommendations concerning the need for socially disadvantaged mothers to receive special support services were especially timely and relevant.


References
Hazrat, A., Humza, S. & Saeed, S. (2017). Perceptions of insufficient breast milk: A comparison of depressed and non-depressed lactating mothers. Pakistani Armed Forces Medical Journal, 67(2), 226-231.
Likierman, M. (2003). Post natal depression, the mother’s conflict and parent – infant psychotherapy. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 29(3), 301-315.
McManus, B. M. & Poehlmann, J. (2011). Maternal depression and perceived social support as predictors of cognitive function trajectories during the first 3 years of life for preterm infants in Wisconsin. Child: care, health and development, 38(3), 425–434
Moraitou, M., Galanakis, M., Stalikas, A. & Garivaldis, F. J. (2011). The relation of positive emotions to post partum depression. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 1(2011), 112-142.
Psychological support for mothers can reduce post-natal depression. (2010, October). Mental Health Practice, 14(2), 4.
Stein, A., Malmberg, L. E., Sylva, K. Barnes, J. & Leach, P. (2008). The influence of maternal depression, caregiving, and socioeconomic status in the post-natal year on children’s language development. Child-care, Health and Development, 34(5), 603–612.
Uguz, F., Akman, C., Sahingoz, M. & Kaya, N. (2009, June). One year follow-up of post-partum-onset depression: the role of depressive symptom severity and personality disorders. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 30(2), 141–145.