THE PROCESS OF RECOVERING IN WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN DEPRESSED.
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 98
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.; Psychology, Clinical.
Description: Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression and one woman in four is likely to suffer from a serious depressive episode at some time in her life (Wood, 1989). Literature abounds on the treatment of depression in women. The majority of the studies are quantitative in nature, and treatment methods have been examined using experimental methods. Wellness or recovery has been measured by a score on a depression scale. This view of recovery does not take into consideration the individual's environment, inner strengths, personal definition of health, or the process of recovering. Lacking from the literature are women's accounts of recovering from depression. The purpose of this research was to describe the process of recovering in women who have been depressed.

The descriptive research design for this study was guided by Peplau's (1989d) process of practice-based theory development. The sample consisted of seven women who had at one time been hospitalized with a diagnosis of depression and who now considered themselves to be recovering. Audiotaped interviews were conducted in the women's homes. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using content analysis.

The process of recovering in women who have been depressed consists of eight categories which comprise three phases. The process is initiated by a crisis or turning point experience; the movement can be described as dynamic and non-linear with interplay between the categories and phases. Phase I consists of a Turning Point and Professional Support. Phase II consists of Determination, Work Over Time, Support of Family and Friends, and Successes. Phase III consists of Self-Esteem and Maintaining Balance. The process of recovering is internal and ongoing.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-10, Section: B, page: 5193.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1991.

School code: 0005.