Thesis
Living with an uninvited guest: A hermeneutic analysis of the impact and self-management of postpartum depression
Southern Cross University, School of Nursing and Health Care Practices
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2004
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Abstract
This research examined the impact of Postpartum Depression (PPD) on the lives of eleven mothers. There were two broad aims in this research, these were: to explore how mothers live with PPD; and, to identify strategies used to minimise the impact of this condition on the mother's daily living.
Theories regarding interpretation and understanding as proposed by Heidegger (trans. 1962) and Gadamer (trans. 1975, 1976, 1977) informed this hermeneutic research project. These philosophical ideas guided the totality of the research. There were two research methods. The main data collection method used was in-depth, semi-structured interview with a predominant focus on storytelling. The in-depth, semi-structured interviews commenced with an open-ended question. This encouraged the stories to unfold in a meaningful way as each woman described her experience from an individual perspective. An important research strategy used throughout the research process was reflective journaling. This additional method provided the ability to de-brief, question the research process, the data and the research findings.
The results of the research highlighted the complexity of how PPD is experienced from day to day. Additionally, it was recognised that the duration and impact of PPD inhibited these women from adapting to a mothering role. By utilising pre-existing theory to interpret this part of the stories it was identified that these women were in a liminal state. Whilst they had begun their rite of passage to becoming a mother, they, as yet had not been able to complete this transition. Another major finding was a strong link between familiarity with their condition and ultimately implementing effective self-management and self-help strategies. As such, before this critical knowledge was obtained ineffective strategies were utilised to manage the impact of PPD.
Implications for practice discussed were the need for nurses and other health care professionals to individualise care. Effective adaptation to a mothering role is critically related to identification of the personal meanings of PPD and how this health problem impinges on their daily living. As such, obtaining the mother's perceptions of her symptoms, their integral meaning and associated threat these symptoms pose, rather than primarily relying on general understandings about PPD is essential. It is argued this will facilitate effective mothering and associated healing from this condition.
Details
- Title
- Living with an uninvited guest: A hermeneutic analysis of the impact and self-management of postpartum depression
- Creators
- Jennieffer Barr
- Contributors
- Nel Glass (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University, School of Nursing and Health Care Practices
- Number of pages
- xvii, 371
- Identifiers
- 991013330227302368
- Copyright
- © Jennieffer Barr 2004
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Resource Type
- Thesis