title: Conceptualizations of postpartum depression by public-sector health care providers in Mexico.
abstract: In this article we describe the knowledge frameworks that 61 physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists from five public-sector health care facilities in Mexico used to conceptualize postpartum depression. We also demonstrate how providers applied social and behavioral antecedents in their conceptualizations of postpartum depression. Using grounded theory, we identify two frameworks that providers used to conceptualize postpartum depression: biochemical and adjustment. We highlight an emerging model of the function of social and behavioral antecedents within the frameworks, as well as the representation of postpartum depression by symptoms of distress and the perception among providers that these symptoms affected responsibilities associated with motherhood. The results provide a foundation for future study of how providers' conceptualizations of postpartum depression might affect detection and treatment practices and might be useful in the development of training materials to enhance the quality of care for women who experience any form of distress in the postpartum period.
authors.affiliation: Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA jmsplace@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jean Marie S
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Place
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Billings
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Frongillo
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Filipa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: deCastro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D049590:Postpartum Period; D017150:Public Sector; D066252:Sociological Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mexico, Mexicans; depression; health care professionals; knowledge construction; postpartum care