Postpartum Depression Family

The arrival of a new member of the family is a happy time, but the transition to parenthood is also a tough and vulnerable period for new parents (Zhang, etc., 2016). According to American Psychological Association website (2017), postpartum depression (PPD) is a non-psychotic but a serious clinical disorder that occurs within four to six weeks after childbirth and lasts for at least two consecutive weeks. The symptoms of PPD include excessive anxiety, tearful, loss of interest, fearfulness, mood swings, sleep disruption, confusion, and suicidal/harm thoughts (APA, 2017). It is common for women to suffer from PPD, and around 8%-13% of new mothers’ experience PPD worldwide (World Health Organization, 2013). Compared to maternal PPD, paternal

children). First of all, postpartum depression can adversely impact on new parents’ psychological health and their functioning. In addition, postpartum Depression contributes to negative effects on the family health, especially for child development. One study suggested that paternal depression can have a harmful impact on children’s behavioral and emotional development (Ramchandani, et al., 2005). Similarly, another research found that “PPD affects approximately 10%-15% of women and impairs mother-infant interactions that in turn are important for child development; depressed mothers often display less attachment, sensitivity and harsher or disrupted parenting behaviors.” (Brummelte & Galea, 2015, p. 153). Namely, new parents who have PPD influence not only themselves but also their children. Moreover, postpartum depression impedes the relationship between the couple. According to Cummings et al. (2005), results of the study suggested that parental depressive symptoms were associated with increased marital conflict and insecure marital

Several studies found some common predictors of PPD in Chinese culture. PPD was related with history of depression, less preparation for pregnancy, poor relationships with husbands, parents, and parents-in-law, difficult pregnancy experience, poor infant health status, and gender of the baby and one-child policy (Wan et al., 2008; Chi et al., 2016; Gao et al., 2010). In Chinese culture, it is common for parents to join their son/daughter’s family to look after their daughter/daughter-in-law and grandchild because having a child is not only the choice of a couple but also the duty to their own parents and the responsibilities of the grandparents. Besides, Chinese people have a traditional practice “doing the month” (zuoyuezi), in which a woman should be at home/hospital for at least 30 days after delivery and is expected to rest, eat special postpartum food and take care of the baby. During this time, mother-in-law is the main person who takes care of her daughter-in-law and grandchild. As modern women gain more education and career opportunities, they may not really retain traditional Chinese values and customs. Therefore, it is likely to have conflicts between two generations due to the different value and belief