title: Integrating social epidemiology into public health research and practice for maternal depression.
abstract: The impact of maternal depression on women and their families has been well documented. Given the prevalence and impact of this problem, one important strategy is to strengthen and expand our public health approaches. Although principles of social epidemiology are increasingly used in the field of maternal and child health, few public health efforts to address maternal mental health have incorporated ecosocial frameworks such as community connectedness, quality of social relationships, and social capital. One method to augment current public health approaches to maternal depression is through the incorporation of a perspective focusing on community, cohesion, group membership, and connectedness--a concept often described as social capital. We describe the relevance of this ecosocial perspective for mental health promotion programs for mothers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and the Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. megan.smith@yale.edu
authors.forename: Megan V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Alisa K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lincoln
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012944:Social Support