THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF A POSTPARTUM MENTAL ILLNESS.
Contributors: Rush University, College Of Nursing.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 179
Subjects: Health Sciences, Mental Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Clinical.; Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Description: While controversy persists regarding the nature and management of postpartum psychiatric disorders, few studies have sought information directly from individuals affected by the lived experience of a postpartum mental illness. A convenience sample of 20 mothers hospitalized with their infants for postpartum mental illness were interviewed. Maternal age ranged from 18-34 years. All of the mothers and babies were admitted to one of two Psychiatric Mother and Baby Units in Great Britain.

Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Data derived from the interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenological methodology. Significant statements were extracted and clustered into 14 theme clusters: (1) pervasive feelings of anxiety and panic, (2) fear of uncontrollable threats to the mother's safety, (3) need to isolate themselves from the outside world which was seen as critical of their maternal abilities, (4) suicidal thoughts, (5) resentment toward the baby, (6) feelings of inadequacy in the maternal role, (7) feeling "nothing" for the baby, (8) contemplating inflicting harm on their infants with diminished coping abilities, (9) a sense that their personal identity was lost, (10) not feeling like their former self prior to having a baby, (11) delusional ideas impacted their sense of self, (12) inability to consider their relationship with their infant, (13) separation from their infants symbolized their inadequacy in the maternal role, and (14) guilt feelings about separation from the older children. Differences were noted in the themes described between mothers diagnosed with postpartum depression and mothers diagnosed with postpartum psychosis. All mothers thought their infants' presence on the Mother and Baby Unit facilitated development of their relationship with their infant, their identity as mothers and their recovery.

Results partially support the criteria currently used to diagnose postpartum depression. However, the results suggest that the criteria do not adequately describe the depth of experience or the pervasive effect of the relationship with the new infant. The data point to the need to develop valid screening instruments and expand the current diagnostic criteria for identifying mothers with postpartum mental illness.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-04, Section: B, page: 2473.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--RUSH UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF NURSING, 1996.

School code: 0591.