Hmong women and postpartum depression

Evidence of postpartum depression in Western culture has been widely documented in the literature. The conclusion reached by many researchers is that women are vulnerable to depression following childbirth to some extent. It has been suggested that postpartum depression is a culture-bound syndrome that develops because of lack of supportive rites and rituals surrounding childbirth. The present study was undertaken to explore postpartum depression in Hmong women living in the U.S. and the influence of cultural practices on postpartum depression. The results indicate that cultural beliefs and practices help the Hmong women adjust to the postpartum period. Whatever symptoms of depression they reported were related to living in a different culture and different environment, and using a language to which they were not accustomed.