Postpartum Depression as Experienced by Adolescent Mothers

ABSTRACT

The postpartum period is well established as an increased time of risk for the development of serious mood disorders. It is a fact that there are three common forms of postpartum affective illness: the blue (baby blues, maternity blues), postpartum (or postpartal) depression and puerperal (postpartum or postnatal) psychosis each of which differs in its prevalence, clinical presentation, and management. Postpartum non-psychotic depression is the most common complication of childbearing affecting approximately 10-15% of women and as such represents a considerate public health problem affecting women and their families. And so, adolescent mothers are not spared from this condition. Adolescent mothers face plenty of challenges from dealing with the shame and stigma of an unplanned pregnancy to finishing school and finding employment. And also, many must deal with the challenges of mental illness. Hence, this study aimed to examine and understand the experiences of adolescent mothers with postpartum depression. In particular, this study attempted to answer the following research questions: a) What does it mean to experience postpartum depression among adolescent mothers? And, b) What are the essences of postpartum depression among adolescent mothers? A qualitative study employing phenomenological approach was used to examine and understand the experiences of adolescent mothers with postpartum depression. Descriptive phenomenological approach was utilized in order to uncover hidden aspects of adolescent mother’s lives – those with postpartum depression – that would not emerge during normal conversations. Participants were provided with a plain Ilonggo language statement about the research. It was only after the process that interviewees were set up with the participants. This allowed the participants opportunity to consent to participate, or opted out or cancelled the interview, if they do not want to proceed. The interviewee-participants were purposively chosen and saturation principles were applied in nine participants who became pregnant before the age of 18, the youngest which was 10 years old. In-depth interviews were chosen as the primary data collection method as their structural nature allowed the adolescent mothers with postpartum depression to tell their story in the in the deepest and richest way possible during the interview process. It was then audiotaped and transcribed per verbatim by the researchers. Data were analyzed using Hycner’s 14 Steps of Descriptive Phenomenological Strategy and ATLAS TI (a computerized qualitative data management program), to categorize and discern patterns. The findings revealed were five themes and fifteen subthemes. The themes were: Awkwardness with the Presence of the Baby; Incompetence in Caring for the Baby and Other Tasks; lack of Pleasure or Interest in Most All Activities; and, Feelings of Worthlessness and Guilt. The identified themes formed the basis for the conclusions and recommendations that should be implemented to encourage detection and recognition of postpartum depression as experienced by the adolescent mothers. It was concluded that, it is apparent that most of their ill-feelings were brought about by their untimely pregnancy and early parenthood. Also, the feelings of inadequacy by the adolescent mothers were brought about by just merely the presence of the baby. It could be concluded that childbirth represents for women a time of great vulnerability to become mentally unwell, with postpartum mood disorders representing the most frequent form of maternal morbidity following delivery. While postpartum depression is a major health issue for many women from diverse cultures, this affective condition often remains undiagnosed resulting in limited management. Overall, these descriptions gave awareness as well as elucidate the essence of experiencing postpartum depression among adolescent mothers. These findings cannot be generalized to all adolescent mothers who have undergone postpartum depression, but it could serve as a basis for further studies and research on which the themes that emerged can be a basis in the formulation of a framework in recognizing and addressing such undermined experience of the adolescent mothers.