Care for Postpartum Depression: What Do Women and Their Partners Prefer?

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the preferences of those who accept a mental health assessment and those who do not.

Design and methods: Thirty couples participated in a qualitative study. Nineteen couples accepted a mental health assessment and 11 declined.

Findings: Acceptors wanted more contact with professionals. Decliners preferred support from their informal network, parental leave, and exercise. However, acceptors also cited these preferences.

Practice implications: Nurses should tailor care to couples' preferences, helping them identify and utilize preferred resources. Mental health care might be more acceptable to decliners if provided in obstetrical care.

Keywords: Couple; depression; patient preference; perinatal care; treatment.