Date of Presentation
5-2-2024 12:00 AM
College
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is present in 17.22% of the world population. The negative physical and psychological impacts of PPD impact not only the mother, but also those around her. This raises the importance of identifying factors contributing to its onset. Studies have shown that PPD prevalence rates vary between non-Western and Western regions of the world. Cultural postpartum practices differed significantly region to region. Search terms including postpartum depression and cultures were used to find peer-reviewed articles, primary surveys, and patient interviews between 2013-2023. Qualitative analyses were performed on the results. Ethnokinship cultures, commonly present in non-Western countries, prioritized social support and traditional beliefs while technocentric cultures, present in Western countries, trusted healthcare systems as their primary postnatal care. The practices of ethnokinship cultures consisted of isolation and restrictions of specific behaviors and diet. Technocentric cultures focused on medically healing the mothers and allowing them to return to daily responsibilities soon. Countries categorized as having mainly ethnokinship cultural practices were found to have higher rates of PPD compared to those having technocentric practices. Results showed that the practices of each culture had their own benefits and harms, with several harms reportedly contributing to PPD symptomatology. This indicates a correlation between cultural factors and the onset of postpartum depression. However, there is room for future studies to elaborate on the severity of the impact on PPD prevalence. The purpose of this literature review is to assess whether cultural factors play a role in the development and prevalence of postpartum depression.
Keywords
postpartum depression, culture, cultural practices, ethnokinship, technocentric, Social Support, Postpartum Period
Disciplines
International Public Health | Maternal and Child Health | Medicine and Health | Medicine and Health Sciences | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychological Phenomena and Processes | Regional Sociology | Social Psychology and Interaction | Women's Health
Document Type
Poster
Included in
International Public Health Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatry Commons, Psychological Phenomena and Processes Commons, Regional Sociology Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons, Women's Health Commons
Association Between Cultural Factors and Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is present in 17.22% of the world population. The negative physical and psychological impacts of PPD impact not only the mother, but also those around her. This raises the importance of identifying factors contributing to its onset. Studies have shown that PPD prevalence rates vary between non-Western and Western regions of the world. Cultural postpartum practices differed significantly region to region. Search terms including postpartum depression and cultures were used to find peer-reviewed articles, primary surveys, and patient interviews between 2013-2023. Qualitative analyses were performed on the results. Ethnokinship cultures, commonly present in non-Western countries, prioritized social support and traditional beliefs while technocentric cultures, present in Western countries, trusted healthcare systems as their primary postnatal care. The practices of ethnokinship cultures consisted of isolation and restrictions of specific behaviors and diet. Technocentric cultures focused on medically healing the mothers and allowing them to return to daily responsibilities soon. Countries categorized as having mainly ethnokinship cultural practices were found to have higher rates of PPD compared to those having technocentric practices. Results showed that the practices of each culture had their own benefits and harms, with several harms reportedly contributing to PPD symptomatology. This indicates a correlation between cultural factors and the onset of postpartum depression. However, there is room for future studies to elaborate on the severity of the impact on PPD prevalence. The purpose of this literature review is to assess whether cultural factors play a role in the development and prevalence of postpartum depression.