Postpartum Depression In Mothers Research Articles

Healing Through Dialogue: Exploring Culturally Sensitive Physician-Patient Communication in Urban and Peri-urban Minna, Nigeria, for Addressing Postpartum Depression

The research was on physician-patient communication. Specifically, the study investigated the communication relationship between physicians and mothers experiencing postpartum depression (PPD) in urban and peri-urban areas of Minna, Nigeria. The study aimed to understand the nature of communication strategies used by physicians, their effectiveness in aiding recovery, and the challenges hindering effective communication. The study fills a research niche on how different forms of communication with patients influence the recovery of postpartum depressed mothers in Minna, Nigeria, and how healthcare professionals may need to promote culture-sensitive communication. The study was anchored on the patient-centered care model. In-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) were adopted as the primary research methods. The study had a total of 204 respondents, 196 nulliparous, primiparous, and multiparous women with PPD for FGD, and 8 medical experts for in-depth interviews. Findings showed that empathy and informal interactions were used as mothers responded positively to physicians who addressed them with a smile, concern, and active listening. Further findings revealed that effective communication led to better outcomes. Participants felt that open-ended questions, patient involvement in treatment plans, and emotional expressions encouraged by physicians led to improved well-being. The basis for the measurement of effective communication for improved health outcomes was measured through self-reported improvements from the mother. Also, cultural sensitivity, utilisation of interpreters, and readily available information resources in hospitals were identified as crucial for addressing communication and cultural barriers. The researcher concluded that physician communication style significantly impacts PPD recovery and, therefore, recommended that healthcare institutions should create supportive environments and train professionals in cultural sensitivity. Dedicated resources like information desks and support groups can empower mothers with PPD. The implications of the study highlight the importance of communication in PPD treatment and suggest actionable strategies for healthcare institutions to improve their interaction with mothers experiencing this critical mental health condition in Minna and similar settings.

Self-compassion and postpartum depression in mothers: A meta-analysis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide evidence on a strong relationship between self-compassion and postpartum depression. In addition, it was also to synthesize evidence of the application of population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) procedures quantitatively. Previous researches demonstrated that low self-compassion was a significant factor in postpartum mothers experiencing psychological distress. This is due to a lack of understanding and appreciation on the positive aspects of oneself that leads to the onset of postpartum depression. Method: This study used a meta-analysis with a statistical method that combined the results of several studies on a specific research question. A meta-analysis provides a comprehensive summary of all evidence related to the topic that employed to more accurate and reliable conclusions than only from a single study. The researchers conducted a comprehensive search for databases, include Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Proquest from February 2023 to July 2023. Result: A total of nine articles were identified for inclusion in the review from 3320 articles. The analysis using the DerSinomian and Laird (DL) estimator model resulted an estimated effect size of 0.586 (p < 0.001; 95% CI = -0.668 - -0.504). Although the meta-analysis results showed a strong negative correlation between the variables, heterogeneity and the risk of publication bias must be considered. Conclusion: The meta-analysis of self-compassion and postpartum depression variables indicates a negative correlation with a moderate effect size category. It is in accordance with the findings of nine articles that also demonstrated a negative correlation.

Exploring perinatal ketamine for postpartum depression following cesarean section: A systematic review.

The aim of this study was to explore the use of perinatal ketamine to see if it can be used for the reduction of postpartum depression (PPD) following cesarean section (C-section). PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science were the primary databases used for this review. Search terms used on January 5, 2024 incorporated "ketamine," "C-section," "postpartum depression," and related synonyms. The criteria for inclusion centered on studies published between January 1, 2008 and January 5, 2024. The final selection of articles was screened based on extraction criteria leaving eight randomized control trials in the final review. The selected data from the studies incorporated sample characteristics, study and population characteristics, and quantitative analyses covering Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) scores and depression rates. The Risk of Bias assessment was utilized to gain a deeper understanding of the quality of methodology used by the research studies. The review showed that ketamine can reduce the symptoms of PPD in mothers who have recently undergone C-sections. Some studies showed decreased EPDS scores following the administration of ketamine while two studies also reported no significant differences in PPD following ketamine administration in C-section patients. For example, Ma et al. found that the EPDS score at postpartum day 4 was significantly lower in the ketamine group compared with the control group (p = 0.007) while Yang et al. found that there were no significant differences between the ketamine and control group at 3 days postpartum (p = 0.553). The research from this review suggests that ketamine administration can prevent or decrease the symptoms of PPD, but more research is needed to establish the causal relationship between ketamine dosage and PPD in C-section patients.

The Effect of Virtual Patient Visits in the Intensive Care Unit on Postpartum Depression.

Maternal postpartum depression negatively affects the baby's emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development and attachment pattern. We aimed to examine the effect of virtual patient visits in neonatal intensive care unit on postpartum depression in mothers. Research data were obtained from mothers whose preterm infants were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit between April and December 2022. A total of 100 mothers of preterm infants (50 in the virtual patient visit and 50 in the control group) treated in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital constituted the sample of the study. Using the Zoom application, virtual patient visits were made for 5 minutes, seven days a week, between mother and the preterm infants, with no nursing intervention implemented for at least 30 minutes. Mothers in the control group saw their babies face to face two days a week. In standard hospital procedure, mothers saw their babies twice a week. Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS) was administered online to the all mothers before and after the study. The research resulted with statistically significant decreased EPDS scores of the mothers in virtual patient visit group with the pre-study scores. A statistically significant decrease was found compared to the control group (P<0.001). Virtual patient visits between preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit and their mothers could be effective in preventing or reducing postpartum depression of the mother.

Prevalence and risk factors of depressive symptoms in the postpartum period: An experience from urban West Bengal, India.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of depression that affects new mothers within the first year after childbirth. PPD can negatively impact both the mother's quality of life and the child's development. Untreated PPD can lead to adverse outcomes, such as infant growth retardation, poor child survival, impaired development, and undernutrition. The burden of PPD is a significant public health concern, with a global prevalence increase of 18.4% from 2005 to 2015. Early detection and intervention of PPD can mitigate the severity and chronicity of symptoms. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PPD among mothers in an urban area of Kolkata and identify any influencing factors. The study utilized a cross-sectional design, surveying 189 mothers within the postpartum period of 6 weeks to 1 year. Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale was used to identify possible PPD. About 29% of the women had probable PPD, 19% had possible depression, and 15% had no depression. Factors associated with depression included low birth weight and primiparity, while financial independence served as a protective factor. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that low-birth-weight babies, marital conflict, lack of support at home, and primiparity had higher odds of depression, whereas financial independence was a protective factor. Age was not statistically significant. A high prevalence of PPD and significant associations with factors emphasized the importance of screening all mothers for PPD, providing medical care and counselling, and ensuring acceptance and support from partners, family, and society.

Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression in mothers attending child immunization clinic of a Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu

Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression in mothers attending child immunization clinic of a Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu

Problem-solving model guided by stimulus-organism-response theory: State of mind and coping styles of depressed mothers after cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND The use of a problem-solving model guided by stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory for women with postpartum depression after cesarean delivery may inform nursing interventions for women with postpartum depression. AIM To explore the state of mind and coping style of women with depression after cesarean delivery guided by SOR theory. METHODS Eighty postpartum depressed women with cesarean delivery admitted to the hospital between January 2022 and October 2023 were selected and divided into two groups of 40 cases each, according to the random number table method. In the control group, the observation group adopted the problem-solving nursing model under SOR theory. The two groups were consecutively intervened for 12 weeks, and the state of mind, coping styles, and degree of post-partum depression were analyzed at the end of the intervention. RESULTS The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale-24-item scores of the observation group were lower than in the control group after care, and the level of improvement in the state of mind was higher than that of the control group (P &lt; 0.05). The level of coping with illness in the observation group after care (26.48 ± 3.35) was higher than that in the control group (21.73 ± 3.20), and the level of avoidance (12.04 ± 2.68) and submission (8.14 ± 1.15) was lower than that in the control group (15.75 ± 2.69 and 9.95 ± 1.20), with significant differences (P &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION Adopting the problem-solving nursing model using SOR theory for postpartum depressed mothers after cesarean delivery reduced maternal depression, improved their state of mind, and coping level with illness.

Relationship Between Frequency of Remote Visitation and Postpartum Depression in Mothers of Hospitalized Neonates During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between symptoms of postpartum depression and the number of remote visitations among mothers of infants in the NICU. DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingNICU in a medical university in Iwate, Japan. ParticipantsA total of 89 mothers of infants who spent more than 1 month in the NICU from June 2021 to December 2022. MethodsParticipants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 4 days and 1 month after birth. We used a one-way analysis of variance with Tukey–Kramer or Games–Howell post hoc tests to examine differences in postpartum depression among three groups based on the frequency of remote visitation: frequent visitation, rare visitation, or no visitation. ResultsOf the 89 mothers, 41 scored 9 points or higher on the EPDS conducted 4 days after birth; among them, 14 did not visit, 13 rarely visited, and 14 frequently visited the NICU remotely through a web camera. The rare visitation group had significantly higher EPDS scores 1 month after birth (M = 9.7, SD = 5.2) than the frequent (M = 5.3, SD = 3.7) and no visitation (M = 5.1, SD = 4.2) groups (p < .05). The rare visitation group demonstrated lower improvement on the EPDS than the frequent and no visitation groups (nonsignificant). ConclusionIt is unclear whether remote visitation reduces symptoms of postpartum depression; however, the frequency of remote visitation could be assessed to identify at-risk mothers in need of social support.

Deteksi Dini Depresi pada Ibu Postpartum

Changes in the postpartum period require a lot of adjustments so they can cause both psychological and physical disorders. Depression in postpartum mothers tends to be invisible but has a negative impact. Mothers who cannot adapt to the critical postpartum period can experience psychological disorders. This disorder is common in women during pregnancy and postpartum but often goes undiagnosed and untreated.. Maternal depressive symptoms affect the mother's emotional and cognitive ability to interact with the baby and family, especially in conditions of long-term depression. Education or counseling can be carried out to increase knowledge or understanding of postpartum mothers. The community service method is in the form of education or counseling with the title Early Detection of Depression in Postpartum Mothers. This activity will be carried out in January-February 2024 at PMB Herasdiana Palembang. During this 2 month period, several stages of preparation were carried out and coordinated with related parties and provided education to mothers at PMB Herasdiana Palembang.

Family Support and Psychological Adaptation (Letting-Go) in Primipara Post-partum

During the recovery period, the post-partum mother will experience psychological changes proposed by several theories, which divides the period of psychological adjustment for the post-partum mother through three phases, namely the taking-in phase, taking-hold phase, and letting go. The moms' emotional, intellectual, and behavioral disorders are triggered by their awareness of their culpability. Mothers must adjust to their new positions as they deal with new families with babies. Inadequately adapting to the post-partum period, mothers should get support from the family. This study aimed to determine the relationship between family support and the process of psychological adaptation (letting go) in primiparous post-partum mothers. This study sampled 33 primiparous post-partum mothers using a proportional random sampling technique. These involved primiparous post-partum mothers who lived with their families for 10-42 days and were willing to be respondents. The research used a questionnaire to analyze data. Data analysis using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov showed a p-value of 0.047 (p-value≤0.05). The results suggest that there is a relationship between family support and the process of psychological adaptation. Improving early screening for post-partum depression and increasing understanding of mothers and families can help reduce baby blues syndrome and post-partum depression in post-partum mothers.

Is there any Correlation of Sleep Quality with Postpartum Depression in Mothers of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admitted Babies

Abstract Background: Sleep quality is very much affected in mothers in the postpartum period. Despite the high prevalence of poor sleep quality in the postpartum period, little effort is done in this field to help such mothers which is very much needed if their babies are admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which is an additional factor for their disturbed sleep. Aim and Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the quality of sleep and depression in mothers whose babies are admitted to the NICU by way of a cross-sectional study. Methodology: This protocol tried to examine the research question whether there is any correlation between the quality of sleep and depression in mothers who had their delivery in a tertiary teaching hospital and whose babies were admitted to NICU for more than 7 days. This relationship, if any, was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire whose domain is to find out any correlation between sleep quality and risk of postpartum depression. Observations: Out of 106 mothers, 68 were primiparous and 38 were multiparous. Out of these mothers, 54% of mothers had EPDS score of &gt;10 and the rest had score of &lt;10. A total score &gt;10 has been validated to have a strong predictive value for detecting women at risk for developing postpartum depression. Furthermore, it was found that as the duration of stay of babies increases in NICU, the number of mothers with EPDS score &gt;10 increases which were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion and Recommendations: Poor sleep quality is very common in the postpartum period, especially in females whose babies are admitted to NICU. The longer the stay of babies in NICU, worse the quality of sleep is. Hence, it should be kept in mind when the babies are admitted to NICU, some sort of support both psychological and medical should be available at hand for the mothers to cope with such a beautiful albeit stressful period of their lives and if detected to provide necessary treatment in time.

IJCM_330A: Prevalence and predictors of postpartum depression among females attending tertiary hospital Jammu

Background: Puerperium or Postpartum period is the period of first six weeks postpartum which begin immediately after parturition. During this time woman is adapting to multiple physical, social and psychological changes. Early identification of such symptoms is crucial for its prompt treatment. Many women develop depressive symptoms. Objective: is to find out the prevalence and factors associated with Postpartum Depression especially the social support. Methodology: this cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one year among mothers who were in the period of 4-7 weeks postpartum. The participants were assessed using the scales -Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale, Hamilton depression Rating scale and Multidimensional scale of perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Statistical analysis was done using spss version (20.0) info. Appropriate statistical tests were used. A p-value of &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 750, 16.1% had postpartum depression, (a score of =10 on EPDS). The factors which were significantly associated included marital status, religion, residence, education of mother and her husband, history of domestic violence, history of mental illness in the past, family history of mental illness, duration of pregnancy, time since delivery, any complication during pregnancy, birthweight of baby and planned parenthood. Social support shows negative correlation with PPD which is statistically significant Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in postpartum mothers is high, various sociodemographic and obstetric factors are significantly associated with it. social support emerged to be protective in reducing the postpartum depression.

GAMBARAN KEJADIAN BABY BLUES PADA IBU POSTPARTUM DI KOTA MEDAN

Postpartum depression in postpartum mothers usually begins with the postpartum blues or baby blues. Baby blues syndrome is often considered not very important and is arely considered, because even if many experience it, it is often only seen as a side effect of fatigue after giving birth. But basically abby blues are very dangerous for the healt of postpartum mothers and also dangerous for their babies. The purpose of this research is to find out how the prevalence of abbay blues in the city of Medan, North Sumatera. The samples taken in this study were 80 postpartum mothers. The method used is descriptive quantitative research with primary data collection through questionnaire interviews according to the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. The result of study can be stated that many mothers experience baby blues as much as 92,5% of respondents. Mothers who experienced the incidence of baby blues from the age of &lt;20 were 56,25%. As well as the incidence of postpartum blues in primipadra mothers as much as 72,52%. Symptoms of postpartum blues are characterized by the presence of disturbances such as reaction of depression or sadbess, crying,irritability, anxiety, feeling unstable, tending to blame oneself, impaired appetite.

The effects of flavonoid supplementation on the mental health of postpartum parents.

During the postpartum period, parents face psychological challenges and consequently, changes in mood and associated mood disorders have become increasingly prevalent in the 6-months following birth. Dietary flavonoids have been found to benefit mood and are therefore an appealing non-pharmacological option for potentially treating mood disorders in the postpartum. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a two-week dietary flavonoid intervention would improve mothers' and fathers' mental health in the immediate 6-month postpartum period. The study employed a randomised, parallel groups, controlled design to explore the effects of a flavonoid intervention vs. control group on several outcomes, including mood (PANAS), postpartum depression (EPDS), postpartum anxiety (PSAS-RSF-C) and quality of life (WHOQOL). Sixty participants (mothers n = 40, fathers n = 20) in the 6-month post-partum period were randomised to either a "flavonoid" or "control" condition. The flavonoid group were asked to add two flavonoid-rich foods (approximate flavonoid intake 218 mg/day) into their daily diet whilst controls (n = 23) were asked to continue with their usual diet for two-weeks (ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04990622). Significant effects were found in the flavonoid group where mothers reported higher positive affect and lower postpartum depression after the two-week intervention relative to baseline. This finding is especially relevant as a clinical reduction in postpartum depression scores in the flavonoid group by an average 2.6 scoring points was observed, which equated to a reduction from "possible depression" at baseline to "little or no depression" at 2-weeks, which was not observed in the control group. Fathers' data was not analysed due to non-compliance with the intervention. This study provides evidence for the benefits of a dietary flavonoid intervention for mood and mental health in new mothers, supporting the utility of non-pharmacological, self-administrable changes to the diet for improving positive mood outcomes and reducing symptoms of postpartum depression in mothers during an especially challenging time. Further research for the effect of dietary interventions on paternal mental health is needed. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04990622.

The Relationship between Spiritual Intelligence and the Risk of Depression in Postpartum Mothers

Introduction: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs after giving birth, which can be dangerous if ignored. One effort that is considered capable of preventing depression is spiritual intelligence. This study aims to determine the relationship between spiritual intelligence and the risk of depression in postpartum mothers. Method: This research is a quantitative study using a descriptive correlation design with a cross-sectional approach. The research sample was 83 postpartum mothers taken based on inclusion criteria using purposive sampling technique. The instruments in this study used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire and The Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI) which had been tested for validity. The analysis used is the chi-square test analysis. Results: Of the 83 respondents, (15.7%) had low spiritual intelligence, (33.7%) had medium spiritual intelligence, and (50.6%) had high spiritual intelligence. Then (28.9%) were at risk of depression and (71.1%) were not at risk of depression. The results of the Chi-square test analysis show that there is a significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and the risk of depression in postpartum mothers with p-value = 0.000 a (0.1). Conclusion: Spiritual intelligence and the risk of depression in postpartum mothers have a significant relationship. The higher the spiritual intelligence, the lower the risk of experiencing postpartum depression. Recommendation: Postpartum mothers are expected to increase their approach to religion so that they are better able to accept the problems that occur after giving birth, both psychological and physical, so that the risk of depression can be prevented.

Associations of rumination, behavioral activation, and perceived reward with mothers' postpartum depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased social isolation for mothers, and rumination exacerbates postpartum depression in mothers with poor social support. Although behavioral activation can help to decrease their depressive symptoms, the mechanism by which behavioral activation reduces postpartum depression remains unclear. We examined the effects of rumination and behavioral activation on depression in postpartum women by examining a model mediated by subjective reward perception. A questionnaire was administered to 475 postpartum women (Age: Mean = 30.74 years, SD = 5.02) within 1 year of childbirth using an Internet survey. The measurements included perinatal depression, rumination, and behavioral activation, and we assessed environmental reward. To control for confounding variables, we assessed psychiatric history, social support, parenting perfectionism, and COVID-19 avoidance. Eighty-four (17.68%) mothers had possible postpartum depression. The covariance structure analysis showed that not only was there a direct positive path from rumination to postnatal depression but also a negative path via reward perception. This finding indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic could have increased depression in many of the mothers. Rumination not only directly relates to postpartum depression, but it could also indirectly relate to postpartum depression by decreasing exposure to positive reinforcers. In addition, having a history of psychiatric illness increases the effect of rumination on postpartum depression. These findings suggest that psychological interventions are needed to reduce rumination and increase contact with positive reinforcements to reduce postpartum depression, especially for high-risk groups.

Study of The Relationship between Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression in Mothers in Beni-Suef City

Study of The Relationship between Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression in Mothers in Beni-Suef City

Investigating Postpartum Depression in Mothers of Children With Cleft Lip and Palate

Background and Objectives: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a subtype of major depressive disorder, which is correlated with having an infant with cleft lip and palate (CL/P). Since there is a dearth of research in this regard, this study compares mothers of infants with CL/P and mothers of normal infants in terms of PPD and suicidal thoughts. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 50 mothers of children with CL/P and 50 mothers of normal children who had recently given birth and presented to the Research Center of Cranial Deformities, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan City, Iran, from September 2020 and 2021. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale was used to assess PPD. Results: The mean PPD score was 15.42±4.77 (range=5-24) and 10.3±6.7 (range=0-29) in mothers of children with CLP and those with normal children, respectively. The frequency of PPD was significantly higher among the mothers of CLP children, compared to mothers of normal children (χ2=25.25, P&lt;0.005). No difference was reported between the mothers with PPD and those without it in terms of educational level (χ2=0.36, P=0.83), occupational status (χ2=0.13, P=0.71), or parity (P=0.93). Having suicidal thoughts had no significant correlation with having CL/P children (P=0.11). Conclusions: The PPD score and frequency of PPD were higher among mothers of children with CLP, compared with mothers of normal children; however, the frequency of suicidal thoughts was not significantly different between the two groups. Educational level, occupational status, and parity were not correlated with PPD or suicidal thoughts.

Non-biological factors associated with postpartum depression among women in Shenzhen: a case-control study.

Postpartum depression (PPD) presents a significant public health challenge. While PPD's impact extends from maternal health to child development, cultural stigma and a lack of public awareness, particularly in developing countries, contribute to its underestimation and under diagnosed. This study investigated the non-biological associated factors for PPD in Shenzhen city due to its unique socioeconomic landscape, where rapid urbanization and migrant influx could uniquely impact maternal mental health. By identifying local PPD determinants, the research aimed to contribute to targeted mental health interventions in the region. Data were collected from May to December 2019 at the Luohu Maternal and Child Health Medical Center, Shenzhen. Inclusion criteria were postpartum women without psychiatric histories who live within the locality. The Chinese Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was utilized to confirm PPD diagnosis. Participant information including demographics, economic status and postnatal factors were collected via structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses of t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, were performed using SPSS 20.0, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The study included 430 healthy mothers and 73 PPD mothers. Several factors were found to significantly influence the onset of PPD (p < 0.05): age (OR = 0.921, 95% CI: 0.864-0.981); living with in-laws (OR = 2.133, 95% CI: 1.108-4.106); bottle feeding (OR = 3.757, 95% CI: 1.567-9.006); prenatal depression (OR = 3.515, 95% CI: 1.61-7.675); prenatal anxiety (OR = 6.072, 95% CI: 3.209-11.49); and adverse life events during pregnancy (OR = 3.287, 95% CI: 1.165-9.269). Other factors were not found to have a significant effect. Our study found that in the developed city of Shenzhen in Southern China, living with in-laws, exclusive bottle feeding, prenatal anxiety, depression, and adverse life events are non-biological associated factors for postpartum depression. The findings emphasize the importance of considering a range of factors when addressing maternal mental health within a specific local regions. It calls for targeted interventions or prevention program that take into considering the specific cultural, social, and individual factors.

Perception of Paternal Postpartum Depression among Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study.

The pathway to parenthood constitutes a fundamental and transformative stage in every individual's life. While postpartum depression in mothers has been increasingly studied and acknowledged, paternal postpartum depression (PPD) has garnered only moderate research attention. This study aims to delve into the comprehension and knowledge of healthcare professionals who may encounter men suffering from postpartum depression. Within the framework of this qualitative research, we conducted six semi-structured interviews with various healthcare professionals. The data were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis, revealing the following themes: (1) the professionals' uncertainty in the face of paternal PPD; (2) the context and timing of healthcare professionals' involvement appeared unsuited for detecting paternal PPD; (3) the experiences of fathers were found not to be shared with healthcare professionals due to their inhibitions and avoidance reactions; (4) the social representation of the role of fathers influenced professionals in their considerations of this aspect. Strengthening the training and confidence of healthcare professionals in France would lead to an enhancement in the screening and management of paternal PPD. Additionally, the healthcare system should better organize postnatal support to enable caregivers to be more available during the peak of depression occurrence.