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Childbirth as a life event: Sociocultural aspects of postnatal depression
Author(s) -
Cox John L.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1988.tb09005.x
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , sociocultural evolution , childbirth , psychology , psychiatry , medicine , developmental psychology , pregnancy , sociology , genetics , biology , anthropology , economics , macroeconomics
This paper illustrates some important socio‐cultural aspects of postnatal depression with particular reference to my research in East Africa. Evidence is reviewed that in many non Western countries post‐partum rituals are still carried out and the hypothesis that the absence of such routine behaviours increases the likelihood of postnatal depression is examined. The lack of obstetric and family rituals may for example lower a mothers self esteem, stress the marital relationship, and can represent an ambivalent social status. The need to investigate this socio‐cultural dimension of postnatal illness in collaboration with Medical Anthropologists is outlined.