Depressive Symptoms and Social Support Associated With Childbirth: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study of Scottish and Pakistani Mothers

Mohammed, Roseanna (1997) Depressive Symptoms and Social Support Associated With Childbirth: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study of Scottish and Pakistani Mothers. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

It was the purpose of this thesis to contribute to a growing area of research on cultural aspects of childbirth. A short-term longitudinal study was carried out to investigate depressive symptoms and social support in Scottish and Pakistani mothers. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Perceived social support was assessed using the Social Provisions Scale (SPS), while received support was measured using an inventory designed specifically for this study. Mothers took part in three main data collection assessments, specifically: the prenatal stage, three weeks postnatal, and eight weeks postnatal. Of particular interest was the anthropological assertion (e.g. Stern and Kruckman, 1983) that non Western childbirth is protected from postnatal depression by virtue of the support available through childbirth rituals. To assess this claim, Scottish mothers were compared to Pakistani mothers, who have a forty day ritual postnatal period. Mothers were compared on a multidimensional model of six social support components, defined by Cutrona and Russell (1987). Results of social support revealed that there was evidence to support the anthropological view that non Western cultures received more support after childbirth, as compared to Western mothers. Despite the different patterns of support provision in these cultures, there were no cultural differences in support satisfaction. Results of the BDI and EPDS revealed that the postnatal period was not characterised by increased depressive symptoms, for either group. There was also no evidence to suggest that the ritualised childbirth of Pakistani mothers was associated with less depressive symptoms, compared to Scottish mothers. However, there were cultural differences in the strength of relationship between less social support and increased depressive symptoms, with Scottish mothers' results demonstrating the stronger relationship. These results are discussed and directions for future research are considered.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: Gisela Dimigen
• Keywords: Clinical psychology, Obstetrics
• Date of Award: 1997
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1997-75864
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Dec 2019 09:15
• Last Modified: 19 Dec 2019 09:15
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/75864