DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center

Title

An investigation of the coping responses among African-American and Caucasian women who suffer from postpartum depression

Author

Foye A. Smith, Clark Atlanta University

Date of Award

3-1-1997

Degree Type

Dissertation

University or Center

Clark Atlanta University(CAU)

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Counseling and Psychological Services

First Advisor

Dr. Eugene Herrington

Abstract

Postpartum depression has increased among women in the postnatal stage of childbirth. With the occurrence of this escalation among women, more research and attention has been focused on prevention and intervention methods. These methods emphasize education awareness, symptom recognition, and effective support systems. The notion that if an expectant mother and her family utilize such techniques, postpartum depression may not become an issue. In this study the Beck's Depression Inventory and the Coping Response Inventory instruments were used to investigate postpartum depression and coping response in 150 African-American and Caucasian women. The results of this study revealed that only a small minority of women surveyed experienced postpartum depression and those that did not reported a high level of support network influence. This fact may reveal the relationship that certain coping responses may play in the prevention and intervention of postpartum depression.

Recommended Citation

Smith, Foye A., "An investigation of the coping responses among African-American and Caucasian women who suffer from postpartum depression" (1997). ETD Collection for AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library. 2066.
http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/2066