Postpartum Practices and Depression Prevalences: Technocentric and Ethnokinship Cultural Perspectives

Abstract

Reports of non-Western prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) are highly variable. This variation may indicate that the label of PPD may be unacceptable in some groups or not used, that manifestations may vary by culture, or that cross-cultural diagnostic standards do not match Western clinical criteria. These factors complicate efforts to explore the relationship of postpartum traditional practices to PPD between Western and non-Western cultures. Although Stern and Kruckman viewed PPD as a culture-bound phenomenon of Western culture, an expanding international literature has demonstrated that PPD occurs in a variety of countries. To address these issues, the authors examined the literature to describe cultural postpartum traditions, to explore possible relationships among practices and PPD prevalence, to critique the culture-bound theory, and to discuss clinical practice implications.

Transition to parenthood during the transition to modernity in Jordan: New parents' views on family and healthcare support systems

“…However, research on this topic in other Asian countries present a mixed picture. Despite the presence of postpartum support structures within Asian cultures, the reported prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) rates is similar to those found in other cultures (Posmontier & Horowitz, 2004). The literature review in this area is noted that social support offered in traditional cultures may not always be beneficial to the emotional well-being of new mothers, especially if mothers view such 'support' as intrusive.…”

Demographic Characteristics of Participants in Studies of Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment of Postpartum Depression

“…The nature and course of postpartum depression may differ depending on the cultural context (for example, because of the effects of traditional rituals and practices associated with the postpartum period in many cultures) (40)(41)(42)(43). Certain elements of these practices, such as restrictions in activities and the provision of social support by family and community members, may have an impact on the acceptability or effectiveness of interventions for postpartum depression.…”

Constructions of motherhood and fatherhood in newspaper articles on maternal and paternal postpartum depression

“…In contrast, in many ethnokinship cultures (e.g., China, Japan and Korea) there is a mandatory recovery period for new mothers, about a month or two long (e.g., Posmontier & Horowitz, 2004). Often, during this period, there is a lot of support from immediate and extended (female) family members.…”

“…Postpartum social supports (e.g., friends, family, financial) have been heralded as some of the most important preventative and ameliorating factors for PPD (Bina, 2008;Haga et al, 2012;Negron, Martin, Almog, Balbierz, & Howell, 2013;Posmontier & Horowitz, 2004), especially instrumental (e.g., being helped with practical tasks, such as housework, Garfield & Isacco, 2005;Negron et al, 2013) and emotional supports (KnudsonMartin & Silverstein, 2009). Much of this research comes from cross-cultural studies, where lower incidences of PPD are attributed, at least in part, to supportive postpartum cultural rituals (Bina, 2008;Posmontier & Horowitz, 2004 Dzakpasu & Pelletier, 2009). A benefit of parental leaves is that they do provide the opportunity for both parents to take on the chores related to having a new baby; however, the financial burden might, nevertheless, work against this support.…”

“…The extremes for the prevalence of a diagnosis of maternal PPD (MPPD) in North America are 4% to 20% (e.g., CMHA, 2012;Suda, Sega-Nishida, Newton, & Duman, 2008;Whiffen, 1992), and up to 50% for paternal PPD (PPPD; Ballard & Davies, 1996;Bradley & Slade, 2011;Goodman, 2004;Melrose, 2010;In case, 2010). The most common statistic reported for MPPD is approximately 10-15% (e.g., American Psychological Association, 2007;Bina, 2008;CPA, 2009;Posmontier & Horowitz, 2004;Rychnovksy & Beck, 2006) and 10% for PPPD (e.g., Paulson & Bazemore, 2010). The following is a compiled list of symptoms from a number of sources (e.g., APA, 2000; Knudson-Martin & Silverstein, 2009;Letourneau et al, 2010;Nicolson, 1990;Roehrich, 2008;Suda et al, 2008;Whiffen, 1992) that fathers and mothers may experience after childbirth: mood swings, guilt, shame, suicidal ideation, energy loss, loss of interest, agitation, motor retardation, anxiety, irritability, and/or insomnia.…”