Citation

Byatt N, Biebel K, Friedman L, Debordes-Jackson G, Ziedonis DM. Arch. Women Ment. Health 2013; 16(5): 429-432.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School/UMass Memorial Medical Health Care, 55 Lake Ave North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA, Nancy.byatt@ummassmemorial.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00737-013-0369-4

PMID

23812739

Abstract

This preliminary study is the first to identify mothers' perspectives on barriers and facilitators to addressing postpartum depression (PPD) in pediatric settings. We conducted four 90-min focus groups with women (n = 27) who self-identified a history of perinatal depression and/or emotional complications. Barriers reported included stigma and fear among women and lack of provider knowledge/skills regarding depression. Participants recommended non-stigmatizing approaches to depression screening/referral. Future PPD screening efforts should leverage the pediatrician-mother relationship to mitigate mothers' fears and encourage help-seeking.

Language: en