Exploring Sociocultural and Familial Dimensions of Postnatal Depression in Southwestern Nigeria: A Mixed-Methods Perspective
Abstract:
Postnatal depression
(PND) has emerged as a significant public health issue, affecting individual
health, family cohesion, and child development. This study investigated the
societal and familial dimensions of postpartum depression among parents in
Southwestern Nigeria through a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected
from 200 respondents (113 women and 87 men) using stratified random sampling,
while qualitative insights were derived from 8 focus group discussions, 4 for
men and 4 for women. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was
utilised for screening, and thematic analysis guided the qualitative
interpretation. Quantitative findings revealed that 29.6% of participants met
the criteria for probable depression with a higher frequency in females (34.5%)
than in males (24.1%). The qualitative findings revealed four primary themes:
cultural stigma and emotional silence, maternal guilt and unrealistic
expectations, family-role conflict, and inadequate social support. The
integration of data indicated that patriarchal norms, gendered expectations,
and insufficient mental health literacy intensify vulnerability to depression.
The study shows that gender-sensitivity and family-centred interventions are
essential for the prompt recognition and treatment of postpartum depression
within Nigeria's postnatal care system.
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