Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 2000. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-142). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ56225

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Postpartum depression is a debilitating condition that has been researched in different populations. A surge in prevalence has been noted in non-western cultures and extremely high prevalence has been recorded in some South African studies. There is a dearth of literature on prevalence or experiences of postpartum depression in South African Indian women. AIMS: This study sought to understand the causes and experiences of South African Indian women potentially suffering from postpartum depression with a view to making recommendations for prevention and care of postpartum depression. METHOD: Low-income South African Indian women were screened for postpartum depression at primary health care clinics at two locations in KwaZulu-Natal. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to screen women for postpartum depression. A semi-structured interview was then carried out to determine eight women’s levels of coping. These included individual, interpersonal, community, societal and cultural coping mechanisms and support systems. RESULTS: In line with other studies on postpartum depression, the study revealed that interpersonal issues, abusive relationships, economic hardships and a lack of adequate social support precipitated or aggravated depressive feelings in the postpartum period. CONCLUSION: A number of recommendations for prevention and treatment of postpartum depression were identified and include Routine Screening, Psycho-education, Interpersonal Therapy, Task-shifting to Community Health Workers to aid in prevention and treatment and increased maternity and paternity leave. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Stoppard (1989) contended that cognitive behavioral etiological explanations of depression were biased and utilized androcentric standards to determine an individual's vulnerability to depression. Stoppard's theory has been supported in part by scientists who have tested the gender role hypothesis of depression. This hypothesis proposes an overlap between social conceptualizations of depression and women. Research supporting this prediction has demonstrated a positive association between criteria for depressive disorders and prevailing feminine gender roles (e.g., Cook, 1990; Fisher, 1989; Landrine, 1988; Rothblum, 1983). The current project further investigated the gender role hypothesis of depression and Stoppard's (1989) criticism of Beck's cognitive theory of depression. Using a six-point Likert rating scale, a sample of 453 undergraduates evaluated items on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) in terms of how typical each item was of men and women. Responses were factor analyzed and assessed in relation to conceptualizations of women's gender roles and established criteria for depression. Exploratory factor analyses yielded a two-factor solution that accounted for 29 percent of the total variance among the BDI-II items. Based on the patterns in participants' responses, these two factors were labeled "Depression" and the "Absence of Depression." Further, the "Depression" factor was comprised of items more typical of women, while the "Absence of Depression" factor appeared to contain more items typical of men. Both of these factors were found to possess satisfactory internal reliability. Supplementary analyses suggested male and female participants did not differ in their ratings of the "Absence of Depression" factor. Both perceived this factor as typical of men. In contrast, males and females varied in their assessment of the "Depression" factor. Females rated the "Depression" factor higher than males, indicating that this factor was more typical of women. Multiple regression analyses also suggested that gender-related personality traits (e.g., instrumental & communal) and beliefs about discrimination against women differentially contributed to predicting responses to the "Depression" and the "Absence of Depression" factors. Theoretical, empirical, and clinical implications are offered for all of these results in the hopes of eliminating the overlap between social conceptualizations of depression and women, and enhancing the accurate identification, treatment, and investigation of depression. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Keith Oatley. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Western Australia, 2005.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Exercise Sciences, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MSc. (Physiology)--Faculty of Health Sciences) - University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 246-261).

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-135). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center