The structure of assessment for postpartum depression by experienced nurses

Abstract

　This study aimed to clarify the structure of assessment of postpartum depression by experienced nurses. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 experienced nurses. Themes were generated by qualitative inductive analysis based on the method of Graneheim and Lundman, and then the relationships and order between the themes were examined. This study was approved by the research ethics committee of the research member’s institution.

　A total of 772 codes were extracted, generating seven themes of maternal symptoms and five themes of related factors. The mother’s symptoms included “difficulty meeting physical needs” and “strong anxiety about child-rearing,” which are predictors of postpartum depression, “increased restlessness,” “suppression of thoughts and emotions,” and “decreased motivation to rear children,” which are symptoms of postpartum depression, and “decreased self-esteem” and “suicidal ideation,” which are the most serious symptoms of postpartum depression. Related factors, including the “mother’s characteristics,” “relationships with significant others,” “perinatal progress,” “negative impact on the child,” and “depression screening results,” were assessed simultaneously with the mother’s symptoms.

　Experienced nurses were well acquainted with the points to observe and the criteria for judging postpartum depression, and made skillful assessments by taking advantage of their position as providers of ongoing support based on a trusting relationship with the mother.