To study the relevance of the involvement of a woman's partner in the development of postpartum depression in Hong Kong

Jim, Josephine Sau Har

Abstract

Recent research found that 15 per cent of mothers-to-be in Hong Kong suffer from serious antenatal depression and 10 per cent of mothers have serious postnatal depression (Lee, 2001). A comprehensive literature review identified a specific research question. This thesis has, therefore, examined the relevance of the involvement of a woman’s partner to the development of postpartum depression in Hong Kong, and its implication on the direction of local health care education on this mood disorder. Two hundred and ninety-eight women were prospectively studied from antenatal visit at third trimester to three months postpartum. The participants’ levels of depressive symptomatology and the levels of paternal support received were monitored by using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Paternal Support Questionnaires (PSQ) at the same time points.
The study found that decreased paternal support during pregnancy and following delivery was significantly correlated with an increased risk of postpartum depression in women in Hong Kong. The timing, type and duration of paternal support available are relevant. In addition, there is a minimum level of paternal support necessary to minimize postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is a potential health and social problem for women and their families in Hong Kong. Apart from the present maternity leave for women, the local government and employers may need to consider also providing paternity leave to men, so that they would participate more in perinatal education programs organized by the local Health Authority, and be able to provide practical/instrumental support to their partners during perinatal period. For the benefit of the local community strategic planning in education on postpartum depression, and postnatal care for both husbands and wives by health care education providers is recommended.

Citation

Jim, J. S. H. To study the relevance of the involvement of a woman's partner in the development of postpartum depression in Hong Kong. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223744

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 24, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2023
• Keywords: Education
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223744
• Additional Information: Institute for Learning, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Feb 1, 2003