Search Method
For the purposes of this paper an electronic search was conducted using the following databases:
CINAHL Complete
ProQuest Health & Medical Collection
Ovid
Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition
Google Scholar
The search parameters included English-only, peer-reviewed articles published between the years 2010 and 2016.
The following keywords were used in the search:
Postpartum depression
Screening
Quantitative
Program
Education
The search produced a total of 1772 publications. The abstracts from these articles were screened and six studies were determined to be relevant to postpartum depression education and screening programs. Among these studies were one systematic review, one quantitative cohort study, two qualitative descriptive studies, one descriptive cross-sectional study, and one descriptive study. A complete reference list can be found in Appendix A.
Article 1:
Summary:
According to Brealey, Hewitt, Green, Morrell, & Gilbody (2010), depression is a major health concern. This is mainly because it affects a large percentage of the population. In particular, the study aimed at examining postnatal depression using a systematic review of previous literature on the topic. This implies that the authors examined various previous qualitative and quantitative researches published before February 2007. The main aim was to determine whether screening for postnatal depression is important to both women and healthcare workers (Brealey et al, 2010). The results of the study show that a large proportion of literature agreed that screening for depression was imperative. In particular, 15 studies concluded that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was important. This is mainly attributable to the fact that early detection can lead to the development of better interventions for mothers.
Validity:
The inclusion criteria used by the researchers in selecting articles for the analysis provided excellent internal and external validity to the research.
Article 2:
Summary:
Research by Corrigan, Kwasky, & Groh (2015) sought to research the association between social support and postpartum depression. According to the article, the process of becoming a mother is a wonderful experience. However, other aspects of the experience such as emotional distress, negative birth experiences, fatigue, and lack of sleep affect both the mother and the child. Therefore, social support is critical in order to ensure that the mother feels supported during this transition period. In order to test the association, the researchers carried out a cross-sectional study involving 61 participants who were administered a questionnaire. The results of the study showed that higher levels of social support led to reduced chances of postpartum depression. The study also concluded that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale was effective in early detection in depression. However, a majority of women who were rated as depressed based on the tool self-reported not being depressed. Lastly, mothers who were overwhelmed also sought professional assistance (Corrigan, Kwasky, & Groh, 2015).
Validity:
The study shows great external and internal validity based on its design as well as the clearly laid out objectives and research questions. The results obtained answered the research questions set by the researchers.
Article 3:
Summary:
The study carried out by Farr, Denk, Dahms, & Dietz (2014), sought to examine the relationship between the provision of prenatal and at delivery screening for postpartum depression and its occurrence among mothers. The study selected a stratified sample from New Jersey for all mothers who delivered live infants between 2009 and 2010. The study compared results from the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (administered at the healthcare facility) to data collected from Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), which is self-administered. The results of the study concluded that early screening for postpartum depression is effective. In particular, when it is accompanied with education to the mother. This provides better outcomes for both the mother and the child.
Validity:
The study shows great external and internal validity based on its design. The use of stratified sampling also helped improve the external validity of the results obtained.
Article 4:
Summary:
Guy, Sterling, Walker, & Harrison (2014) carried out a study to determine the relationship between health literacy and seeking help for postpartum depression for lower income women. The article argues that despite the fact that efforts have been made to improve public health literacy on common ailments little has been done for mental problems. In order to achieve its objective the research study analyzed data drawn from focus group data from women who had participated in longitudinal studies (Guy et al, 2014). The results of the study revealed that the participants of the study were aware of changes in their mental states. This is mainly because of being able to recognize specific symptoms. However, they had fears of seeking professional help for their conditions.
Validity:
The study shows great external and internal validity based on its design and the secondary data analysis methods employed by the researchers. The results also support the original primary analysis carried out on the data.
Article 5:
Summary:
According to Habel, Feeley, Hayton, Bell & Zelkowitz (2015) postpartum depression is a common condition among mothers since it affects 13-19% of women during the first year after childbirth. However, a majority of women avoid seeking help for their symptoms. The article attributes this to a gap in women’s perception of their needs and the care offered by healthcare facilities. In addition, it is important to examine the differing perceptions between men and women with regard to postpartum depression in order to improve help-seeking behavior. Therefore, the study examined the differences and similarities in male and female perceptions of the causes of postpartum depression after childbirth. The results indicated that there were great similarities between the men and women’s perceptions of the causes of postpartum depression. This indicates that healthcare providers can utilize these perceptions in order to provide better screening and interventions (Habel et al, 2015).
Validity:
The study shows great external and internal validity based on its design as well as the clearly laid out objectives and research questions.
Article 6:
Summary:
Truitt, Pina, Person-Rennell, & Angstman (2013) explore the difference in intervention outcome between the use of collaborative care and routine care in the management of postpartum depression. The article argues that despite early screening and routine care majority of women diagnosed with postpartum depression still do not receive the care they need in time. However, this can be improved using collaborative care management (CCM). The results of the study indicated that CCM was an effective intervention and provided high quality care for women suffering from depression.
Validity:
The study shows great external and internal validity based on its cohort design. The results obtained from the study are also supported by previous literature and are valid. They can also find great use in professional care.
References
Brealey, S., Hewitt, C., Green, J., Morrell, J., & Gilbody, S. (2010). Screening for postnatal depression - is it acceptable to women and healthcare professionals? A systematic review and meta-synthesis. Journal Of Reproductive & Infant Psychology, 28(4), 328- 344. doi: 10.1080/02646838.2010.513045
Corrigan, C. P., Kwasky, A. N., & Groh, C. J. (2015). Social support, postpartum depression, and professional assistance: A survey of mothers in the Midwestern United States. Journal Of Perinatal Education, 24(1), 48-60. doi: 10.1891/1058- 1243.24.1.48
Farr, S. L., Denk, C. E., Dahms, E. W., & Dietz, P. M. (2014). Evaluating universal education and screening for postpartum depression using population-based data. Journal of Women's Health, 23(8), 657-663. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4586
Guy, S., Sterling, B. S., Walker, L. O., & Harrison, T. C. (2014). Mental health literacy and postpartum depression: A qualitative description of views of lower income women. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 28(4), 256-262. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2014.04.001
Habel, C., Feeley, N., Hayton, B., Bell, L., & Zelkowitz, P. (2015). Causes of women's postpartum depression symptoms: Men's and women's perceptions. Midwifery, 31(7), 728- 734. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2015.03.007
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare: A guide to best practice (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Truitt, F. E., Pina, B. J., Person-Rennell, N. H., & Angstman, K. B. (2013). Outcomes for collaborative care versus routine care in the management of postpartum depression. Quality in Primary Care, 21(3), 171-177. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=fa1 e2fdf-a75e-4b7d-8e08-c9e294d71c19%40sessionmgr4001&hid=4110
