Altered perceptions of personal control about retained weight and depressive symptoms in low-income postpartum women.
Postpartum weight retention and depressive symptoms have a high prevalence among low income women. This qualitative study describes low-income women's experiences of weight changes and depressive symptoms during the late postpartum period. Women (n = 25) who were either overweight or had depressive symptoms, or both, at 12 months postpartum participated in an ethnically-congruent focus group. Women's experiences indicated altered personal control related to retained postpartum weight and depressive feelings. Retained weight negatively affected self-esteem and family functioning. Depression left women feeling isolated yet reluctant to seek help. These findings could provide the basis for health promotion interventions relevant to this population.
Sterling
Bobbie Sue
BS
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78701-1499, USA.
Fowles
Eileen R
ER
Garcia
Alexandra A
AA
Jenkins
Sandra K
SK
Wilkinson
Susan
S
Kim
Minseong
M
Kim
Sunghun
S
Latimer
Lara
L
Walker
Lorraine O
LO
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001835:Body Weight; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty