Our project focuses on interventions that may reduce the rate of Postpartum Depression (PPD). We specifically reviewed broad and affordable options accessible to the target population. Women who experience PPD are often from a lower socioeconomic status and experience multiple situational and financial stressors. Our research outlines a variety of interventions including group therapy, psychotherapy, education, and home-visitation that show promise in reducing the number of women who experience PPD.
The statistics on PPD vary due to multiple factors. PPD can be mild or severe and is often underreported in lower socioeconomic populations. PPD is an important health issue because of a lack of emotional, physical, and financial support can have a significant impact on developing PPD and the mother-child relationship. Overall, research on PPD is relevant to our field since nurses often have increased interactions with patients and time to provide information to new mothers. As future nurses, we could be the catalysts to encourage mothers to recognize the symptoms and seek help for PPD.
We conducted our research by analyzing ten different studies of several interventions that have been introduced in healthcare settings across the United States and globally. These studies were specifically focused on postpartum depression and published between 2015 and 2020. This approach allowed us to evaluate what models are currently successful as well as emerging treatment options that may hold promise for PPD patients in lower socioeconomic communities. Understanding the broader topic of PPD helps nurses deliver care that provides the physical and emotional support needed by new mothers. The interventions we reviewed- group therapy, psychotherapy, education, and home visitation had positive outcomes for patients and could be implemented in a clinical setting.
Authors: Carolynn Dromsky, Graham Reich, Melany Sosa, Maddy May, Sarah O’Brien
Advisor: Dr. Eyad Mussallam, Department of Nursing
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