Archived
This content is available here for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping.
Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
5-5-2024
Year of Publication
2022
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
Faculty
Dr. Laura Escobarr-Ratlif
Abstract
This capstone focuses on maternal mental needs, specifically postpartum care and postpartum depression. Each article in this capstone centers on postpartum depression, treatment barriers, introducing standard care of practice for women in rural communities, and identifying gaps leading to further research in postpartum education. Countless articles were read and utilized in conducting the systematic literature review to begin this process.
The first article in the capstone, the Systematic literature review, details the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and how it differs from a major depressive disorder. A thorough review of the literature was conducted, identifying the central concern of the capstone and this review, postpartum depression symptoms, and how prevalent these symptoms are during the first year postpartum. The review details rates of postpartum depression in rural communities of the United States, revealing a higher rate of postpartum depression in these communities. Additionally, the systematic review discusses evidence-based screening tools utilized in diagnosing postpartum depression.
The second piece of this capstone, the conceptual paper, discusses the barriers identified in the systematic review and aims to identify why women are not seeking treatment in Appalachian communities. Theoretical frameworks are utilized to identify the best treatment options for women in Appalachia, considering cultural norms and factors playing an essential role in their decision to seek treatment. A significant barrier to treatment is identified and explored, the negative stigma associated with mental health treatment.
The third and final piece of the capstone, the practice application paper, proposes a suggested standard of care practice to be implemented in Appalachian communities for antepartum and postpartum care. Effective screening tools utilized during the antepartum period can assess mood disorder presence in pregnancy. Screening tools during the postpartum period should be used to identify signs and symptoms of postpartum mood disorders such as postpartum depression. Introducing a standard care practice for maternal mental health in Rural Appalachian communities is imperative in mitigating postpartum depression symptoms and the women suffering through them.
Recommended Citation
Simpson, Tabitha, "Postpartum Depression: Mitigating Treatment Barriers for Women in Appalachia" (2022). DSW Capstone Projects. 38.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/csw_grad_reports/38
