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Li Q, Xue W, Gong W, Quan X, Li Q, Xiao L, Xu DR, Caine ED, Poleshuck EL. Experiences and perceptions of perinatal depression among new immigrant Chinese parents: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:739. [PMID: 34311719 PMCID: PMC8311906 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06752-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immigrant status, acculturation level, race and ethnicity have been found to contribute to the utilization of mental health services in the perinatal period. This study explored perinatal experiences and perceptions among Chinese immigrant mothers and their spouses, as well as the possible barriers and facilitators that affect their health care utilization. METHODS We recruited 13 women ages 18-35 years born in mainland China, living in Rochester, New York, and residing less than 5 years in the United States. Participants primary language was Mandarin Chinese and all had given birth to at least one live infant within the past 7 years. Participants' age was at least 18 years old at the time of delivery. Five spouses also participated. We divided women in two focus groups and held one focus group for men, with data collection including demographic questionnaires and semi-structured focus group questions conducted in December 2014. Data were analyzed following thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes emerged: experiences of perinatal depression; perceptions of perinatal depression; general preventive and coping strategies; and attitudes toward the supportive use social media applications (apps) and text messaging during the perinatal period. Participants had limited knowledge of perinatal depression and had difficulty distinguishing between normal perinatal mood fluctuations and more severe symptoms of depression. They discussed immigrant-related stress, conflicts with parents/in-laws while "doing the month", the perceived gap between the ideal of "perfect moms" and reality, and challenges with parenting as the causes of perinatal depression. Women approved of screening for the condition but were conservative about follow-up interventions. As for the management of perinatal depression, participants preferred to deal with the problem within the family before seeking external help, due to potential stigma as well as Chinese traditional culture. They were receptive to obtaining pertinent health information from anonymous social media apps, preferring these to personal text messages. CONCLUSION The recent immigrant Chinese parents to the United States in the study had limited knowledge of perinatal depression and did not make full use of mental health services for support due to language and cultural barriers. Screening for perinatal depression is only the first step. Future research should explore what interventions may serve as an acceptable approach to overcoming these gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Li
- HER Team and Department of Maternal and Child Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Wenqing Xue
- HER Team and Department of Maternal and Child Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjie Gong
- HER Team and Department of Maternal and Child Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- Institute and of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Xin Quan
- Department of Family Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Quanlei Li
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Lina Xiao
- East China Institute of Social Development, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Roman Xu
- ACACIA Lab for Health Systems Strengthening, Institute for Global Health and School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Eric D Caine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Ellen L Poleshuck
- Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
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Latendresse G, Bailey E, Iacob E, Murphy H, Pentecost R, Thompson N, Hogue C. A Group Videoconference Intervention for Reducing Perinatal Depressive Symptoms: A Telehealth Pilot Study. J Midwifery Womens Health 2021; 66:70-77. [PMID: 33576146 PMCID: PMC8684833 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Perinatal depression occurs in 12% to 18% of childbearing women. Telehealth is a promising platform for delivering perinatal mental health care, particularly during a pandemic when in-person services have been significantly curtailed. However, there is little research to document the feasibility of telehealth to address perinatal depression. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary results of an 8-week facilitated group videoconference intervention. METHODS The study enrolled pregnant and postpartum women into an 8-week group mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral intervention, delivered via videoconference platform. Women receiving care at outpatient clinics who either screened positive for perinatal depression symptoms or had risk factors predictive of perinatal depression were invited to participate. Women attended weekly one-hour group sessions using their own electronic device and completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at several time points. Session attendance and survey completion rates were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 47 women enrolled (8 postpartum; 39 prenatal) into groups of 4 to 6. Twenty-four (51.1%) women were currently experiencing mild to moderate perinatal depression symptoms (EPDS score of 10-20), whereas 23 (48.9%) women had EPDS scores less than 10 but were at high risk for developing perinatal depression due to health history and significant life events. Seventy percent of women attended at least 5 of the 8 sessions. Trajectories of EPDS measures were promising (ie, downward among those with current perinatal depression symptoms and stable among those at high risk for developing perinatal depression). DISCUSSION These observational results are promising, suggesting further study of effectiveness for women with symptoms of perinatal depression, as well as for women at high risk for developing perinatal depression. Randomized trials could evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, compared with standard of care approaches. Telehealth interventions can be tailored to meet the needs of different communities, and increase access to care, regardless of where women live or inability to receive in-person services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - ElLois Bailey
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Eli Iacob
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Hannah Murphy
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Ryoko Pentecost
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Nancy Thompson
- Rollns School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Carol Hogue
- Rollns School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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