“It Slowly Drained the Life Out of Me, Leaving Me Dead Inside”: Coping and Response Patterns Among Chinese Women Experiencing Postpartum Depression

Abstract

ABSTRACT The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) exceeds 20% in China. In this article, we unpack the coping strategies and involuntary responses to PPD among Chinese women and how such patterns are shaped by family communication dynamics and reflect distinct social, structural, and cultural contexts. Drawing upon the communication accommodation theory and the generic stress and coping model, we analyzed 661 posts collected under the hashtag #PPD (chanhou yiyuzheng) on Zhihu using the phronetic iterative approach. The analysis reveals that women self-identifying as having PPD often find themselves situated within a family environment marked by non-adaptive communication, culminating in insufficient support from their social circles. Furthermore, a significant number of these women lack effective coping mechanisms to manage PPD. Instead, they tend to stifle their expressions and needs through automatic responses, dedicating themselves to constant self-monitoring without practicing self-care. Our findings contribute to informed policymaking for postpartum support, addressing nuanced challenges encountered by new mothers in China.