Barriers and Facilitators of Social Supports for Immigrant and Refugee Women Coping With Postpartum Depression

In Brief An emerging concern for health care providers is how to assist immigrant and refugee women adapt to a new milieu and to cope with postpartum depression (PPD). Thirty women were interviewed to find out their perspective on what factors influence their help-seeking behavior and decision making about postpartum care and what strategies would be helpful in PPD prevention and treatment. Findings reveal that (a) social support networks can be supportive or nonsupportive with widespread effects on physical and psychological health and well-being; (b) cultural background and socioeconomic factors influence seeking support; (c) health care relationship was viewed a critical determinant to seek and accept help for PPD. Thirty women were interviewed to find out their perspective on what factors influence their help seeking behavior and decision-making about postpartum care and what strategies would be helpful in postpartum depression (PPD) prevention and treatment. Findings reveal: (a) social support networks can be supportive or non-supportive with effects on physical and psychological health (b) cultural background and socioeconomic factors influence seeking support (c) health care relationship was viewed a critical determinant to seek and accept help for PPD. www.advancesinnursingscience.com