title: Exploring perceptions and experiences of maternal depression in Latinas: a qualitative study.
abstract: Understanding how depression is conceptualized is key to designing effective screening and treatment procedures. Of particular concern is maternal depression in Latinas, given the high Latina birthrate. We conducted two focus groups of pregnant Latinas to elicit their perceptions of and experiences with maternal depression. Women reported familiarity with the concept of maternal depression and that their experiences with depression were linked to social support from family and friends. Women also indicated that they felt responsible for coping and recovering from depression independently. How experiences with depression interact with traditional Latino idioms of distress, needs further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayden
authors.forename: Cynthia D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Connelly
authors.forename: Mary J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Baker-Ericzen
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hazen
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCue Horwitz
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D055815:Young Adult