Postpartum Depression: A Critical Review
Date
1999
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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Thesis
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Award
Language
eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
A significant number of women experience depression in the postpartum period. This article presents a review of the psychological literature on postpartum depression, including a comparison of postpartum depression to other postpartum affective disorders (maternity blues and puerperal psychosis). The biological, psychosocial, psychodynamic, and sociopolitical (feminist) etiologies of postpartum depression are explored, as well as help-seeking behaviors in women with the disorder and transcultural research on the topic. The debate about whether or not postpartum depression is a distinct diagnosis is discussed. A view of mild postpartum depression as an 'adjustment phase' to motherhood is presented, and suggestions for future research are offered.