This dissertation is a mixed methods analysis investigating postpartum depression as it is experienced by self-reported depressed Mexican American adolescent and adult mothers. The qualitative portion of this study explores pregnancy and motherhood to better understand meanings attached to depression. Six adolescent and six adult mothers, were recruited from the Dallas/Fort-Worth area. Each was interviewed twice, using semi-structured interview guides. The quantitative phase utilizes a national sample of self-reported depressed Hispanic mothers to identify breastfeeding behavior and mothers' perceptions of the physical health of their babies. Specifically, a secondary analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health, 2003 was used to supplement the qualitative data. This study provides a theoretical framework of fragmented identity to explain socio-cultural factors contributing to postpartum depression among Mexican American adolescent and adult mothers. Common themes leading to a fragmented identify were indentified. Contributors to postpartum depression include: unplanned pregnancy, internal struggle between cultures, body image and family conflict. Stigma associated with teen motherhood also contributed to depression among adolescent mothers while the medicalization of childbirth was a contributing factor of depression among the adult mothers. Additionally, the duration of breastfeeding and mothers' perceptions of their babies' physical health were impacted by depression, but breastfeeding initiation was not.

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A replication of "Stresses Experienced by Primiparous Women in the First Two Weeks Postpartum" (Wolfel, 1986) was undertaken to identify stressors experienced by women in the first 2 weeks postpartum and to compare results with the original study. Because of changes in the standard of care, a study replication was desirable. The replication sample consisted of 20 primiparous women who completed the Postpartum Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), a new tool developed by Wolfel. Descriptive data displayed the existence of stress. Analysis of variance, t tests, and correlation coefficients were used to find significant correlations between demographic characteristics and PSQ responses. Age correlated positively with stress. Married women reported stress in physiological and psychological areas. Women who had a miscarriage were more likely to exhibit postpartal stress. No relationship was found between PSQ and variables of previous experience with child care, length of hospital stay, use of pain medication, or prenatal caretaker.

by Stephanie Chi-kwan Lam. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-52). / Abstract and questionnaire also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vii / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.ix / Chapter CHAPTER I - --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Application of cognitive model to parent-child interactions --- p.7 / Chapter CHAPTER II - --- METHOD --- p.12 / Participants --- p.12 / Measures --- p.12 / Assessment of adolescent social information processing --- p.12 / Youth Self-Report Form --- p.14 / Demographic information --- p.15 / Assessment of maternal social information processing --- p.15 / State-Trait Anger Scale --- p.16 / General Health Questionnaire --- p.17 / Family Demographics --- p.17 / Procedure --- p.18 / Chapter CHAPTER III - --- RESULTS --- p.19 / The adolescent sample --- p.19 / Prediction of adolescent behaviors in mother-adolescent situations --- p.20 / Prediction of adolescent aggression --- p.21 / Prediction of adolescent delayed response --- p.22 / Prediction of adolescent withdrawal --- p.23 / Prediction of adolescent psychopathology --- p.24 / Prediction of internalising problems --- p.25 / Prediction of externalising problems --- p.26 / The mother sample --- p.27 / Prediction of maternal behaviors in mother-adolescent situations --- p.29 / Prediction of maternal aggression --- p.30 / Prediction of maternal delayed response --- p.30 / Prediction of maternal withdrawal --- p.31 / Prediction of maternal psychopathology --- p.32 / Prediction of aggressive symptoms --- p.32 / Prediction of depressive symptoms --- p.33 / Chapter CHAPTER IV - --- DISCUSSION --- p.35 / Prediction of behaviors: specificity of cognitive variables --- p.35 / Link between cognitions and adolescent behaviors --- p.35 / Link between cognitions and maternal behaviors --- p.37 / Prediction of psychopathology: specificity of cognitive variables --- p.38 / Link between cognitions and adolescent psychopathology --- p.38 / Link between cognitions and maternal psychopathology --- p.40 / Implications --- p.40 / Aggression and coercive interactions --- p.41 / Depression and coercive interactions --- p.42 / Directions for future research --- p.44 / REFERENCES --- p.46 / APPENDICES --- p.53

Li Siu-yan Susan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-168). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (English version) --- p.i / Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of figures --- p.ix / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Background of the study --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.5 / Maternal role attainment --- p.6 / Transitional theory --- p.16 / Feminist approaches to transition to motherhood --- p.23 / Local research on transition to motherhood --- p.26 / The rationale of the study --- p.30 / Chapter III. --- METHODS --- p.34 / Design --- p.34 / Setting --- p.39 / Sample --- p.39 / Ethical issues --- p.41 / Data collection --- p.42 / Data analysis --- p.46 / Trustworthiness of the study --- p.53 / Summary --- p.57 / Chapter IV. --- FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION --- p.59 / Conceptual categories --- p.61 / Keeping harmony --- p.62 / Giving of self --- p.63 / Discontinuity of self --- p.64 / Caring for (m)other --- p.75 / Replenishing --- p.91 / Daydreaming --- p.92 / Fortifying support --- p.98 / Developing self --- p.117 / Rewards of mothering --- p.118 / Achieving maternal competency --- p.121 / Renegotiating relationships --- p.127 / With mother-in-law --- p.130 / With husband --- p.135 / With work --- p.137 / The storyline --- p.139 / Chapter V. --- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.141 / Summary of the study --- p.141 / Implications for midwifery practice --- p.146 / Limitations and recommendations for further study --- p.152 / Personal reflections on study --- p.153 / References --- p.156 / Appendix / Chapter A. --- Letters of approval - The Chinese University of Hong Kong --- p.169 / Chapter B. --- Letters of approval - general hospital --- p.170 / Chapter C. --- Subject information sheet for the participants (English and Chinese version) --- p.171 / Chapter D. --- Consent form from the participant (English and Chinese version) --- p.173 / Chapter E. --- Transcripts in Chinese language --- p.175 / Chapter F. --- Translation of transcripts in English --- p.195 / Chapter G. --- Demographic summary of interview participants --- p.214

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M.A. / Adults who have experienced sexual abuse as a child may encounter long-term effects on their functioning that could be regarded as problematic to the adult (Corby, 2006). Child sexual abuse has been a problem for many years, although it took societies exceptionally long to realise the actual implications of child sexual abuse on the adult (Spies, 2006). Long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse can be observed well into adulthood and effects such as depression and a low self-esteem have been confirmed by studies. The female victim of childhood sexual abuse often finds herself in the role of mother within her own family. The goal of this study is to explore the self-description of the female adult victim of childhood sexual abuse in terms of her role as mother in her family. This study seeks to explore the self-description of the female adult victim of childhood sexual abuse in terms of her role as mother in her family. The literature review gives an overview regarding the definition of childhood sexual abuse. Literature exists on the different long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse that may impact the adult victim and this has been discussed. Quantitative studies in terms of children that have been sexually abused and the long-term effects thereof indicate that childhood sexual abuse has an impact on the adult development. Minimal research has been conducted with regards to the female adult victim of childhood sexual abuse and her self-description of her role as mother in her family. The systems theory was used as a basic framework for the study. The systems theory focuses on the reciprocal interaction, interdependence, boundaries, roles and homeostasis. Assumptions from the literature review suggest that the mother cannot fulfil her role successfully because of the prevalence of negative behavioural symptoms such as fluctuating self-esteem and feelings of powerlessness and worthlessness. The counter argument included that the mother because of this experience may discover an inner power that may contribute to positive emotions from which she can successfully fulfil her role as mother (Bannister, 1998).

This study used a parenting stress and coping model to identify predictors of symptomatology for 13 8 mothers of medically compromised children. This model proposed that: child characteristics (severity of the chronic illness and child related parenting stressors); parent characteristics (self-esteem, sense of competence, and parents' perceived stress/distress); and environmental characteristics (social support, general life stressor events, and demographic variables) contribute to psychological symptomatology for these mothers. Multiple regression analysis found a relationship between general life stressor events, severity of the children's chronic conditions, lower satisfaction with social support, lower self-esteem, and younger mothers' ages and greater symptomatology. Trends toward significance were found for more parenting stress and lower parenting sense of competence predicting greater symptomatology. Predicted relationships between family socioeconomic status and parenting daily hassles and symptomatology were not supported.