Management Management of Postpartum Depression, Gender Disappointment, and Subjective Well-being among mothers through Interpersonal Therapy

Abstract

Objectives: Gender Disappointment is one of the leading issues that contributes to psychological problems, including high Postpartum Depression and low subjective well-being among women. To resolve Gender disappointment and postpartum depression and to improve well-being, an intervention, “Group Interpersonal Therapy,” was implemented.

Method: This qualitative study was conducted to treat Postpartum Depression and Gender Disappointment among mothers through Group Interpersonal Therapy. 30 mothers were chosen through criterion-based purposive sampling (aged 20-40) from a public hospital in Kohat.

Results: Group interpersonal therapy decreases the disappointment among mothers for their Child’s gender and decreases their Postpartum Depression and increases their well-being. Group Sessions were conducted, comprising 8 sessions. After conducting group sessions, themes were extracted through thematic analysis, and theme 1 was understanding of gender disappointment and postpartum depression. Subthemes were 1) Awareness, 2) Identifying the problem area, 3) Coping skills development, 4) group understanding and listening to each other, and 5) Relapse prevention and positive outlook. Theme 2 was Mental health and support, and it consists of three subthemes: 1) Stressors, 2) Psychoeducation, and 3) Support. Theme 3 was Healing, and the subthemes of Theme 3 were Coping and Interpersonal Functionality, and the second subtheme was Recovery and subjective well-being.

Conclusion: Implementation of the interpersonal therapy is one of finest solutions for those mothers who are suffering from postpartum depression, with the primary cause being disappointment towards their child's gender and improves their well-being.