Postpartum depression: The lived experiences of Middle Eastern Migrant women in Australia

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of postpartum depression among the Middle Eastern women living in Sydney, Australia. A phenomenologic research design was used to conduct in-depth, unstructured interviews with a purposive sample of 45 mothers who had experienced postpartum depression. The interviews were conducted in the mothers’ homes. Transcriptions of these interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenologic method. Five themes emerged that illustrated the Middle Eastern woman’s experiences of postpartum depression: 1) loneliness due to feelings of isolation and lack of social support, 2) helplessness due to inability to cope with the overwhelming task of fulfilling her traditional role as mother and wife, 3) fear of failure and being labeled a “bad mother” by in-laws, 4) insufficient knowledge about postpartum depression and available support services, and 5) coming to terms with postpartum depression by undertaking diversional activities and learning new skills. The exhaustive description of postpartum depression as experienced by the women that emerged from this phenomenologic study will help midwives and other health care professionals to be more sensitive to and understanding of women from different cultural backgrounds so that appropriate interventions can be designed that meet their specific needs and beliefs.