Examining the Social Determinants of Seeking Help for Postpartum Mental Health

Postpartum is a vulnerable period for women's health, and postpartum mental health issues, including postpartum depression, are growing concerns. Despite the increased awareness of mental health, several factors hinder women from seeking help for mental health concerns during the postpartum per...

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Main Authors: Cristyanna Minda Ong, Daryl John Briones, Miguel Alberto Mallari, Janna Mikaela Sanchez, Annielov Paboroquez, Neki Lora Rufino, Antonni Mikela Agustin, Genejane Adarlo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics 2024-04-01
Series:Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.iiisci.org/Journal/PDV/sci/pdfs/ZA184AE24.pdf
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author Cristyanna Minda Ong
Daryl John Briones
Miguel Alberto Mallari
Janna Mikaela Sanchez
Annielov Paboroquez
Neki Lora Rufino
Antonni Mikela Agustin
Genejane Adarlo
author_facet Cristyanna Minda Ong
Daryl John Briones
Miguel Alberto Mallari
Janna Mikaela Sanchez
Annielov Paboroquez
Neki Lora Rufino
Antonni Mikela Agustin
Genejane Adarlo
author_sort Cristyanna Minda Ong
collection DOAJ
description Postpartum is a vulnerable period for women's health, and postpartum mental health issues, including postpartum depression, are growing concerns. Despite the increased awareness of mental health, several factors hinder women from seeking help for mental health concerns during the postpartum period. Hence, this qualitative study used the World Health Organization's Social Determinants of Health Framework to examine the structural and intermediary determinants that shape women's help-seeking behaviors regarding mental health during the postpartum period. A thematic analysis of interviews with 12 new mothers revealed that the structural determinants of help-seeking behaviors for postpartum mental health include employment status and working conditions as enablers and social perceptions of mental health, societal expectations of motherhood, and financial capabilities as barriers. This study also showed that intermediary determinants that enable help-seeking for postpartum mental health include effective communication, familiarity, informational support, perceptions of formal sources of help, and the severity of the situation. Conversely, hindrances include gaps in communication, inadequate emotional support, fear of being misunderstood, being gossiped about, and being a burden, belief in the responsibilities associated with motherhood, and belief in self-reliance. These findings can be used to develop initiatives to promote postpartum mental health.
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spelling doaj-art-1fcbbacb564844f0a0ebae1cf4237da92025-08-20T02:18:46ZengInternational Institute of Informatics and CyberneticsJournal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics1690-45242024-04-012225462Examining the Social Determinants of Seeking Help for Postpartum Mental HealthCristyanna Minda OngDaryl John BrionesMiguel Alberto MallariJanna Mikaela SanchezAnnielov PaboroquezNeki Lora RufinoAntonni Mikela AgustinGenejane AdarloPostpartum is a vulnerable period for women's health, and postpartum mental health issues, including postpartum depression, are growing concerns. Despite the increased awareness of mental health, several factors hinder women from seeking help for mental health concerns during the postpartum period. Hence, this qualitative study used the World Health Organization's Social Determinants of Health Framework to examine the structural and intermediary determinants that shape women's help-seeking behaviors regarding mental health during the postpartum period. A thematic analysis of interviews with 12 new mothers revealed that the structural determinants of help-seeking behaviors for postpartum mental health include employment status and working conditions as enablers and social perceptions of mental health, societal expectations of motherhood, and financial capabilities as barriers. This study also showed that intermediary determinants that enable help-seeking for postpartum mental health include effective communication, familiarity, informational support, perceptions of formal sources of help, and the severity of the situation. Conversely, hindrances include gaps in communication, inadequate emotional support, fear of being misunderstood, being gossiped about, and being a burden, belief in the responsibilities associated with motherhood, and belief in self-reliance. These findings can be used to develop initiatives to promote postpartum mental health.http://www.iiisci.org/Journal/PDV/sci/pdfs/ZA184AE24.pdf and health promotionsocial determinants of healthpostpartum mental healthhelp-seeking behaviors
spellingShingle Cristyanna Minda Ong
Daryl John Briones
Miguel Alberto Mallari
Janna Mikaela Sanchez
Annielov Paboroquez
Neki Lora Rufino
Antonni Mikela Agustin
Genejane Adarlo
Examining the Social Determinants of Seeking Help for Postpartum Mental Health
Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics
and health promotion
social determinants of health
postpartum mental health
help-seeking behaviors
title Examining the Social Determinants of Seeking Help for Postpartum Mental Health
title_full Examining the Social Determinants of Seeking Help for Postpartum Mental Health
title_fullStr Examining the Social Determinants of Seeking Help for Postpartum Mental Health
title_full_unstemmed Examining the Social Determinants of Seeking Help for Postpartum Mental Health
title_short Examining the Social Determinants of Seeking Help for Postpartum Mental Health
title_sort examining the social determinants of seeking help for postpartum mental health
topic and health promotion
social determinants of health
postpartum mental health
help-seeking behaviors
url http://www.iiisci.org/Journal/PDV/sci/pdfs/ZA184AE24.pdf
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