Journal List > J Nurs Acad Soc > v.26(4) > 1085570

Jang, Kim, Kim, Kim, and Choi: A Study on the Postpartum Depression Experience: Q-Methodological Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore types of postpartum depression and to understand the nature and structure of the postpartum depression by using Q-methodological approach. As a way of research, 55 statements concerning postpartum depression were selected through individual interviews with postpartum mothers and literature review. 30 women were chosen as a subject group for the study, with opinions shown in 55 statements divided into 9 scales by forced distribution. PC QUANL Program was used for analysis and Q-factors were analyzed by using principal component analysis. As a result, postpartum depression experience was classified into 5 types. There are "Role -Strain Type", "Unattributional Depression Type", "Psychosomatic Symptoms Type", "Self-Compassion Type", and "Role-Crisis Type". Type I was named "Role-Strain Type", referring to the strain generally experienced by mothers with regard to the new role as a mother and as a social member. Type II was named "Unattributional Depression Type", referring to the symptom experienced by people who were in a state of vanity and a sense of loss. They often break into tears for no specific reasons. In case of Type III, people in a state of "Psychosomatic Symptoms Type" develop physical symptoms after suffering from inherent emotional conflict. Type IV was named "Self-Compassion Type" refers to the symptom shown by those who feel pity for their children and for themselves. And they show inability to cope with the reality properly. Type V was named "Role-Crisis Type", which is experienced by people who have a burden and a severe fear of their own job and their children in their mind, also showing serious conflict with maternal role. Futhermore, it was carried out to examine structure of postpartum depression in terms of degree of depression and adjustment ability. Type I showed mild degree of depression and relatively good adjustment ability. Type II showed broad range of degree in depression and moderate adjustment ability. Type III showed moderate depression and relatively low adjustment ability. Type IV revealed relatively serious degree of depression and the lowest adjustment ability. Type V revealed very serious degree of depression and the lowest adjustment ability. As a result, considering the structure of postpartum depression, Type I is considered to be a normal depression sympton which most mothers generally experience, followed by Type II, Type III, Type IV and Type V, each of which show increasingly worse degree of depression and lower adjustment ability. In conclusion, it seems to be it is necessary to understand distinct symptoms of postpartum depression and to examine the characteristics and structure of those types, so that it could lead to more individual nursing approach.

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