Pregnancy and postpartum are critical periods for child and family development and portend risk for maternal mental health disturbances, with potential for long-term effects of maternal adjustment on child development. Although the predictors and sequelae of maternal postpartum depression and anxiety are often the subject of inquiry, much remains to be learned about the role of the social environment and ethnicity/culture. The current research addresses gaps in our understanding of perinatal partner and family relationship functioning and the influence of these close relationships on postpartum mental health. Additionally, it explores how these associations might differ for Latina and non-Hispanic White women, in light of differences in socio-demographic background, such as income, education, immigration, and acculturation. Study 1 presents data from a multi-site, community-based participatory research project that describe the postpartum partner and family relationship functioning of 308 Latina and 190 non-Hispanic White women and compare associations between relationship functioning and postpartum mental health (depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and generalized anxiety) across groups. Study 1 also presents multivariate models of socio-demographic variables, acculturation, and partner and family relationships predicting maternal postpartum mental health. Study 2 draws from a longitudinal sample of 81 Latina and 63 non-Hispanic White to examine the ways in which longitudinal changes in partner relationship quality from pregnancy to postpartum are associated with maternal depression in both ethnic groups. Findings underscore the robust influence of partner and family relationship functioning on maternal postpartum mental health across widely varying levels of socio-demographic background and point to surprising similarity in patterns of association for Latinas and non-Hispanic White women. Variables such as parity, marital status, income, and age repeatedly accounted for more between-group differences in relationship functioning and maternal mental health than did ethnicity. This research adds to our understanding of the psychosocial contributors to postpartum mental health in Latina women and suggests that efforts to reduce strain and improve the quality of partner and family relationships before and after pregnancy could have beneficial influence on postpartum depression and anxiety for both Latinas and NH-Whites.

Postpartum Depression is a severe form of depression that occurs during pregnancy and childbirth. About 1 in 9 women experience symptoms of PPD; however, the prevalence of women who are affected differs among their race, age, and ethnicity. Latinas are 37% more likely to experience PPD than other groups. Latina mothers are placed at a higher risk due to cultural stigma surrounding mental illness, inadequate access to health care, and gender roles within the family unit. Research merely focuses on why this group of women is more susceptible to PPD, leaving a gap in the knowledge base surrounding Latinas’ perception of postpartum depression, and how Latina mothers utilize community resources to cope with symptoms. This research study explored the lived experiences of low-income Latinas who suffered with PPD. This qualitative phenomenological research study, consisted of in depth, semi-structured interviews. The nine women who participated in this study, told their stories of how they navigated the world each day with such symptoms. Through the data collected, it was found that Latinas carry a heavy role in the family and the new identity that is formed when they become a mother causes strain in their mental health and their relationships with others. Findings in this study described how participants sought emotional support and available resources in their community to assist them with PPD symptoms. Participants highlighted how the fear of being judged and criticized from others was a barrier to seeking help. Furthermore, the findings displayed the need for proper postpartum depression screenings during routine medical follow-up appointments, as well as PPD becoming a part of hospital discharge planning after giving birth. This study sets a platform from which social workers can help to ensure that Latina mothers are provided with mental health resources to empower themselves as they care for others.

The delivery of high quality and equitable care for both mothers and newborns is complex and requires efforts across many sectors. The United States spends more on childbirth than any other country in the world, yet outcomes are worse than other high-resource countries, and even worse for Black and Native American women. There are a variety of factors that influence childbirth, including social determinants such as income, educational levels, access to care, financing, transportation, structural racism and geographic variability in birth settings. It is important to reevaluate the United States' approach to maternal and newborn care through the lens of these factors across multiple disciplines. Birth Settings in America: Outcomes, Quality, Access, and Choice reviews and evaluates maternal and newborn care in the United States, the epidemiology of social and clinical risks in pregnancy and childbirth, birth settings research, and access to and choice of birth settings.

Examines the role of domestic violence and child maltreatment in the lives of children. The chapter highlights available measures, methods for analyzing data, advances in intervention, and strategies and minimum standards for coordinating research in domestic violence. The authors extend the results of their work into the public arena by taking into account implications for public policy, legislation, and fund raising.

This comprehensive reference and text synthesizes a vast body of clinically useful knowledge about women's mental health and health care. Coverage includes women's psychobiology across the life span--sex differences in neurobiology and psychopharmacology and psychiatric aspects of the reproductive cycle--as well as gender-related issues in assessment and treatment of frequently encountered psychiatric disorders. Current findings are presented on sex differences in epidemiology, risk factors, presenting symptoms, treatment options and outcomes, and more. Also addressed are mental health consultation to other medical specialties, developmental and sociocultural considerations in service delivery, and research methodology and health policy concerns.

This accessible guide addresses the nature of the intrusive and unwanted thoughts that can be common in new parenthood, and offers practical answers and advice on how to tackle these. With fresh material focusing on how to overcome barriers to disclosure and stigma, and updated treatment approaches and case descriptions, this revised edition explains exactly what these negative thoughts are, why they come about, and what can be done about them. Chapters offer information on the specific nature of perinatal anxiety and related disorders, along with take-home points and evidence-based strategies for symptom relief that clinicians can use effectively with new parents. Written by two leading clinicians in the perinatal community, in collaboration with two promising leaders in this specialized field, Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts, 2nd edition offers a compassionate approach to breaking the cycle of scary thoughts that is invaluable to new parents and clinicians alike.

Postpartum depression has become a more recognized mental illness over the past decade as a result of education and increased awareness. Traumatic childbirth, however, is still often overlooked, resulting in a scarcity of information for health professionals. This is in spite of up to 34% of new mothers reporting experiencing a traumatic childbirth and prevalence rates rising for high risk mothers, such as those who experience stillbirth or who had very low birth weight infants. This ground-breaking book brings together an academic, a clinician and a birth trauma activist. Each chapter discusses current research, women’s stories, the common themes in the stories and the implications of these for practice, clinical case studies and a clinician’s insights and recommendations for care. Topics covered include: mothers’ perspectives, fathers’ perspectives, the impact on breastfeeding, the impact on subsequent births, PTSD after childbirth and EMDR treatment for PTSD. This book is a valuable resource for health professionals who come into contact with new mothers, providing the most current and accurate information on traumatic childbirth. It also presents mothers’ experiences in a manner that is accessible to women, their partners, and families.

Although self-help has been an integral strategy of the women's movement, the burgeoning self-help publishing industry and growing popularity of talk shows encouraging personal confession have provoked vicious attacks on self-help from many feminists. Rock-a-By Baby examines the postpartum depression support group movement and exploring the relationship between gender, the ideas and strategies of women's self-help groups and feminism. Taylor uses interviews and personal letters, talk show transcripts, organizational newsletters and a survey of postpartum group leaders to illuminate conflicts played out in the arena of women's self-help.

Clinical Case Studies for the Family Nurse Practitioner is a key resource for advanced practice nurses and graduate students seeking to test their skills in assessing, diagnosing, and managing cases in family and primary care. Composed of more than 70 cases ranging from common to unique, the book compiles years of experience from experts in the field. It is organized chronologically, presenting cases from neonatal to geriatric care in a standard approach built on the SOAP format. This includes differential diagnosis and a series of critical thinking questions ideal for self-assessment or classroom use.