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Underserved Women in a Women’s Health Clinic Describe Their Experiences of Depressive Symptoms and Why They Have Low Uptake of Psychotherapy

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Abstract

Low-income and African American patients in women’s health clinics are at risk for depression and under-treatment of their depression. This study aimed to understand women’s health patients’ experiences of depressive symptoms and perspectives on the low uptake of psychotherapy. Twenty-three women with depressive symptoms from a women’s health clinic completed individual qualitative interviews. Women reported risk of harm in the therapeutic relationship as the primary barrier; physical and mental health symptoms and doubt that psychotherapy will help were also described. Women also reported psychotherapy can be helpful by allowing women to express their feelings, gain insight, and make life changes.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grant K23MH079347 (PI: ELP) and an anonymous donation to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Susan McDaniel, Ph.D., and Nancy Talbot, Ph.D. provided valuable input on earlier drafts of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Ellen L. Poleshuck, Beth Cerrito & Margaret H. Kearney

  2. University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA

    Nicole Leshoure

  3. Carolina Outreach, LLC, Durham, NC, 27705, USA

    Gillian Finocan-Kaag

  4. St. Anthony’s Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 63128, USA

    Gillian Finocan-Kaag

Authors
  1. Ellen L. Poleshuck
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  2. Beth Cerrito
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  3. Nicole Leshoure
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  4. Gillian Finocan-Kaag
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  5. Margaret H. Kearney
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Correspondence to Ellen L. Poleshuck.

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Poleshuck, E.L., Cerrito, B., Leshoure, N. et al. Underserved Women in a Women’s Health Clinic Describe Their Experiences of Depressive Symptoms and Why They Have Low Uptake of Psychotherapy. Community Ment Health J 49, 50–60 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-012-9500-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-012-9500-7

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