• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aimed to examine postpartum depression of Vietnamese married immigrant women and Korean women, and to identify factors that affect postpartum depression. Methods: Subjects of one hundred and thirty-five women who had delivered a baby within 3 years were part of the study. Of these women, sixty were Vietnamese married immigrant women and sixty seven were Korean women living in Gangwon Province. Kim's (2005) Korean version of Cox's (1987) EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) was used to evaluate postpartum depression. The reliability of the entire subjects was Cronbach's ${\alpha}$=.677, Vietnamese women .743, and Korean women .654. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in demographic data and obstetric history. There were significant differences in EPDS (t=-0.236, p=.814) of the type of household between the two groups. Korean women experienced more depression in the items of EPDS 1,2,5, and Vietnamese women experienced more depression in the items of EPDS 7, 8, and 10 when comparing item by item. The influencing factors of EPDS in entire subjects were marriage type, satisfaction of relationship with the husband and other household extended family members, and emotional experience during pregnancy. Conclusion: Postpartum depression has occurred regardless of ethnicity, therefore prevention programs targeted at depression, and family support programs should be developed for all childbearing women.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.469-475
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• 2005

Mother-infant interaction is a crucial component of an infant's cognitive, emotional and behavioral development. Most people are preoccupied with fetal education, the physical conditions of the postpartum mother and baby, and emphasizing an early start in the child's education. However, the effects of a mother's postnatal emotional state on the development of the infant are often overlooked. Postpartum depression is a significant health problem affecting 10-20 percent of new mothers. Recent research findings indicate that the suffering caused by postpartum depression is not limited to these mothers alone; their babies and close family members are vulnerable to short-term and long-term effects as well. This review summarizes the findings of recent research works, in the light of publications within the last seven years.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.587-594
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• 2015

Purpose: To identify the effects of foot reflexology massage on fatigue, stress and depression of postpartum women. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pre-post design was used. A total of 70 women in a postpartum care center were recruited and were assigned to the experimental group (35) or control group (35). Foot reflexology massage was provided to the experimental group once a day for three days. Data were collected before and after the intervention program which was carried out from December, 2013 to February, 2014. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and t-test. Results: The level of fatigue in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 2.74, p=.008). The level of cortisol in the urine of women in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 2.19, p=.032). The level of depression in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 3.00, p=.004). Conclusion: The results show that the foot reflexology massage is an effective nursing intervention to relieve fatigue, stress, and depression for postpartum women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to describe a psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) framework for postpartum depression (PPD) and discuss its implications for nursing research and practice for postpartum women. Methods: This study explored the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation as possible mediators of risk factors for PPD through literature review. Results: From this PNI view, human bodies are designed to respond with the reciprocal interactions among the neuro-endocrine and immune system when they are faced with physical or psychological stressors. Chronic stress induces alterations in the function of HPA axis, and a chronic low-grade inflammatory response is associated with depression. The dysfunctions of cytokines and HPA axis have been observed during the postpartum period. Stress promotes glucocorticoid receptor resistance, which can promote inflammatory responses. This, in turn, can contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. This can especially affect populations at vulnerable time-points, such as women in the postpartum. Conclusion: From a PNI perspective, well-designed prospective research evaluating the role of stress and inflammation as an etiology of PPD and the effect of stress reduction is warranted to prevent PPD.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-33
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to help the development of qualitative research in the field of Korean medicine and policy support for postpartum depression. Methods: Qualitative studies related to postpartum depression retrieved from five databases were evaluated independently by two researchers using the integrated criterion, Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). In addition, each subject of study was qualitatively synthesized. Results: A total of 1,374 papers were searched and 13 papers were finally selected. The results of the study using COREQ lacked information about the researchers. The results of the study were integrated into three themes: "Feeling Failure", "Struggling for self-identity and role of mother" and "Seeing Help and Recovery". Conclusions: Postpartum depression can be accessed through various methods such as Korean medicine counseling, acupuncture and herbal medicine, and further research and manual preparation is required.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.798-809
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the quantities of three neo-maternal exposures; visiting frequency, auditory contact and physical contact, and to examine the relationship between the quantities of each exposure and maternal attachment, maternal self-esteem and postpartum depression in 40 mothers of NICU babies during the first week in the NICU. Method: Each neo-maternal exposure was counted at every mother's visit to the newborn and maternal attachment, maternal self-esteem and postpartum depression were measured using the maternal attachment inventory, the maternal self-report inventory and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) on the first and seventh day in the NICU. Result: The Mean of each neo-maternal exposure was 8.77(2.81) for the visiting frequency, 5.82(3.66) for the auditory contact and 5.60(2.89) for the physical contact during 7 days in the NICU. No significant changes were found in the scores of maternal attachment, maternal self-esteem and postpartum depression between the first and the seventh day in the NICU. The quantities of neo-maternal exposures were positively related to the scores of maternal attachment and maternal self-esteem but not related to postpartum depression. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest the lack of early neo-maternal exposure in cases of NICU hospitalization negate its beneficial effects on maternal psychological well-being in increasing maternal attachment and self-esteem. More efforts are neededfor the neo-maternal interaction and the reevaluation of NICU visitation hours in order to promote maternal-infant interaction.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.172-188
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• 2009

Purpose: For mothers just delivered of a child, sanhupung(産後風) is a critical disease which can threaten their health. The symptoms of sanhupung were diverse and divided into pain symptoms, general symptoms, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. We tried to search for the relationship between sanhupung and somatization of postpartum depression. Methods: Analysis was carried out with materials concerning the postpartum depression and sanhupung. For the analysis, materials related with the issue of this study were searched at the Korea Education & Research Information Service, and Oriental medicine advanced searching. Results: 1. The range of period and symptoms of sanhupung has been broaden. The symptoms of sanhupung were divided into pain syndrome, general symptoms, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. 2. As the symptoms of postpartum depression might indicate not only physical symptoms but also mental disorder, more attention should be placed on wether the symptoms were involved in somatization of postpartum depression. Conclusion: The authors conclude that obstinate sanhupung that do not healed up and improve in symptoms have a relation to somatization of postpartum depression.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.358-371
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic, data for developing a program for effective prevention for Postpartum Depression (PPD) by investigating the level of PPD in postpartum 2 weeks women. The subjects were 384 women who visited obstetrical clinics for postnatal care. The data were collected from June 29. 1999 to April. 2000, using a 46-item questionnaire related to PPD, and analyzed by SAS program for t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, stepwise multiple regressions. The results were as follows : 1. The level of PPD according to general characteristics Women had mild PPD (Min score; 46.0, Max score; 124.0). The PPD levels were significantly differences according to religion and marital satisfaction (p<0.05). 2. The level of PPD according to obstetrical characteristics 1) Characteristics related to pregnancy The PPD levels were significantly differences according to mood change, confidence of body weight recovery, depression related to appearance change, husband's help to housework, and husband's emotional support (p<0.05). 2) Stressful events during pregnancy The PPD levels were significantly differences according to financial problem, conflict between partners, conflict between family, and husband's job change (p<0.05). 3) Characteristics related to delivery and post natal period The PPD levels were significantly differences according to baby's health state, parenting confidence, and difficulties related to postpartum care (p<0.05). 3. The variables to predict postpartum depression in postpartum women are depression related to appearance change (10.4%), parenting confidence (8.8%), husband's help to housework (2.7%), confidence of body weight recovery (2.4%), husband's job change (1.9%), baby's health state (1.9%), difficulties related to postpartum care (1.6%), mood change (1.2%), conflict between partners (0.6%), marital satisfaction (0.5%), financial problem (0.4%). The sum total of all the above variables can account for 32.4% of postpartum depression. 4. The level of PPD according to PPD factors. Women had the highest degree of PPD in biophysiological phenomena-disturbance of physical functioning factor. The factors of relationship to baby-negative feeling and cognitive phenomena-self concept disturbance were showed the lowest degree of PPD. As a result of the above findings, a systemic and individualized program is strongly recommended for PPD prevention, diagnosis, and care for PPD in postpartum women. In near future, this study should be expanded to investigate the coping skills according to the PPD levels in postpartum women.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2007

The pregnancy and postpartum period appear to be a time of heightened vulnerability for the development of major depression in some women. Postpartum depression affects 10% of women within a few weeks immediately postpartum. Postpartum depression is associated with disturbances in the mother-infant relationship, which in turn have an adverse impact on the course of child cognitive and emotional development. Depression during pregnancy is also common, although it has been relatively neglected. Psychopathological symptoms during pregnancy have physiological consequences for the fetus. Understanding the aetiology of perinatal depression requires integrating of multiple psychosocial and biological risk factors. The treatment of depressed pregnant women requires skilled decision making by psychiatrists. Risk-benefit analysis is appropriate method for intervention fur depression in pregnancy. Effective treatments for depression in pregnancy include psychotherapy, antidepressant medication and electroconvulsive therapy. In treatment of postpartum depression, the biological, psychological, and social interventions are included. Prescribing antidepressants(such as fluoxetine), estrogen in severe and chronic cases, and counselling can be effective for improving maternal mood and aspects of infant outcome. Ongoing research is directed to further elucidating neurohormonal and psychosocial contributions to depression during pregnancy or postpartum. Screening for risk factors and symptoms for depression need to be incorporated into antenatal and pediatric clinics.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.153-167
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• 2011

This study analyzed changes in postpartum depression in mothers from one month after childbirth to the first year using panel data collected overtime, in an effort to determine the relationship between the amount of change and child-rearing system variables. The subjects were 1097 mothers who belonged to both the lower and upper $30^{th}$ percentile groups in the depression change distribution of the 2008 Korean Children Panel Study (PSKC), a large, population-based study conducted by the Korea Institute of Childcare and Education. The data were analyzed by t-tests, $x^2$ tests, partial correlation coefficient analyses and regression analyses. The results are summarized as follows: First, the mothers' postpartum depression showed a significant increase during the first year as opposed to the first month after birth. Second, after controlling for socio-demographical variables of the mothers, the changes related to depression showed a positive relationship with child-rearing stress, and the child's emotional temperament, but showed a negative relationship with the mother's self-esteem, the child's birth order, and the father's participation in child-rearing activities. Third, variables having a significant effect on changes in postpartum depression were the mother's self-esteem and child-rearing stress, the child's age in months, and social support. Variables pertaining to the mother's characteristics variables had a more powerful effect than other child-rearing system variable categories. The results suggest the necessity to develop a parental education program or a mother-child health service in consideration of the variables that affect mothers, as determined in this study, in an effort to prevent postpartum depression.