Comparing the social capital and occupational balance of mothers with and without postnatal depression symptomology
Year: 2023
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Over 70,000 mothers in the UK suffer from postnatal depression, costing the NHS over £70,000 for each case. In Wales, 70% of women have no access to specialist perinatal mental health services. Women with postnatal depression experience debilitating symptoms which lead to multiple adverse outcomes. The biological and psychological causes are well established. Reduced social capital (quality and quantity of social interactions) and occupational imbalance (unequal distribution of daily activities) also increase the risk of postnatal depressive symptomology, but are less well understood. \nOccupational therapists maximise functioning within daily occupations (categorised as self-care, productivity, leisure and rest), using coping strategies and adaptation to overcome illness associated difficulties. Currently, few occupational therapists are involved in postnatal care. \nThis mixed methods research aimed to explore how life experience and choices impact on the mothering role and whether daily routines affect mental health. A cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted with 212 mothers of children aged less than 18 months and living in Wales. The questions explored the social capital and occupational balance of the mothers, alongside the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale used to identify depressive symptomology. Logistic regression was used to analyse the data, with no association seen between social capital and EPDS score. Women with low occupational balance were nearly 17 times more likely to have EPDS scores ≥9 than mothers with high occupational balance. \nSubsequently, semi-structured interviews and activity diaries were completed using purposive sampling with 9 mothers. The explanatory sequential approach involved the questionnaire influencing the design of the interviews. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data highlighted three main themes: (i) identity and stigma; (ii) role transition and balance; and (iii) negotiating stereotypes. \nThese results identified areas of occupational therapy involvement, including transitional change, realistic role education and potential coping strategies, which may influence future occupational therapy interventions in perinatal care.
Author: Cavill, Sarah
Institutions: University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7055423948