ERIC Number: EJ1005002
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1052-0147
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Women's Experiences with Postpartum Anxiety: Expectations, Relationships, and Sociocultural Influences
Wardrop, Andrea A.; Popadiuk, Natalee E.
Qualitative Report, v18 Article 6 2013
Evidence about anxiety in the postpartum is sparse and contradictory. Our research expands this knowledge by using a qualitative methodology, the Feminist Biographical Method, to explore first time mothers' experiences of postpartum anxiety. Data collection included 1.5 to 2.0 hour interviews with six women about their experiences of anxiety in their transition to motherhood. We transcribed the interviews and used an iterative hermeneutic coding process to develop themes and subthemes over the course of four coding cycles. The findings include five major themes: (a) experiences of anxiety, (b) expectations of a new mother, (c) issues of support, (d) societal scripts of motherhood, and (e) the transition. One conclusion that we draw is the need for healthcare professionals to provide improved support and validation to new mothers facing postpartum anxiety, by expanding the definition of postpartum distress, especially anxiety, and by better understanding women's anxiety through culturally-embedded contextual and relational lenses. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Anxiety, Scripts, Mothers, Sociocultural Patterns, Social Influences, Cultural Influences, Social Attitudes, Child Rearing, Expectation, Interviews, Pregnancy, Misconceptions, Family Influence, Social Support Groups, Depression (Psychology), Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
Nova Southeastern University. 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317. Tel: 954-262-5389; Fax: 954-262-3970; Web site: http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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