A comparative study of the experiences of a group of Hong Kong Chinese and Australian women diagnosed with postnatal depression.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the experiences of postnatal depression between a group of Chinese and Caucasian women.


METHODS
This was a secondary analysis of two phenomenological studies. Thirty-five Chinese women and 12 Australian women were interviewed.


RESULTS
Women felt being trapped in the depression. The Hong Kong women attributed their depression to their mothers-in-law and husbands, and expressed much anger. The Australian women attributed their depression to not being able to live up to the ideal mother image, and felt guilty.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions were recommended with consideration for the cultural values that influenced women's experiences of postnatal depression.
Chan
Sally Wai-chi
SW
Nethersole School of Nursing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. sallychan@cuhk.edu.hk
Williamson
Victoria
V
McCutcheon
Helen
H
D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006167:Guilt; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D012945:Social Values; D013021:South Australia; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult