Little is known about the recovery and coping experience of women living with depression. However, the process seems to be easier for women who are older when depression is first experienced and have positive family relationships, no concurrent illness and few stressful life events. Specifically, it explored the personal coping strategies used to assist women in meeting the demands of everyday life in family, social, and work settings. Women participating in the study were interviewed in person using a semi-structured interview guide designed with input from mental health consumers.
Formal treatment is only one type in a range of supports.
The researchers invited women to participate who were between 20 and 40 years of age and attended the Cowie Family Medicine Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, during a five-month period. Fifteen women were interviewed. Women who consented were first screened for depressive symptoms. Those found to be at risk were contacted for an in-depth interview.