Perinatal Depression Treatment Preferences Among Latina Mothers (original) (raw)

2014, Qualitative Health Research

Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbirth and is associated with serious health outcomes for mothers and their children (Grace, Evindar, & Stewart, 2003). Researchers estimate that 9.4% to 12.7% of all women develop major depressive disorders during pregnancy and that 15% do so within 3 months after birth (Gaynes et al., 2005). The estimates for depressive symptoms are worrisome. For example, Zayas, Jankowski, and McKee (2003) found that in a sample of 106 prenatal Latinas, 52% reported elevated levels of depressive symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996), with symptoms declining over the course of the study among those who completed the three interviews (prenatal, 2 weeks postpartum, and 3 months postpartum). It is unclear whether those who were lost to follow-up experienced any change in symptoms (e.g., increased symptoms). Although rates of major depression among all Latina mothers have not been estimated, the initial estimates are alarming. Yonkers and colleagues (2001) found that 35% of the 604 Latina mothers in their study had major depressive symptoms immediately after delivery. Based on a study of 3,952 postpartum Latinas, Kuo et al. (2004) suggested that the postnatal period can also represent a vulnerable time for new mothers. Kuo and colleagues found that 43 of the postpartum women in their study had probable cases for depression, as indicated by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977). Using the CES-D, Davila, McFall, and Cheng (2009) found that 21% of 439 prenatal and postpartum Latinas had moderate levels of depressive symptoms and 15% had more severe symptoms. Significant risk factors for postpartum depression and a correspondingly elevated incidence of depressive symptoms are present in the Latina community (Lara, Le, Letechipia, & Hochhausen, 2009). Recent immigrants are especially likely to report symptoms of depression (Munet-Vilaró, Folkman, & Gregorich, 1999), as are Latinas who are under the age of 25, have less than a high school education, and have limited access to health care providers (Howell, Mora, Horowitz, & Leventhal, 2005). Women living in poverty are also known to be at high risk for depression; this is a serious concern for Latinas, who 519866Q HRXXX10.