Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Postpartum Depression Among Immigrant and Arabic Women: Literature Review

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major disabling mood disorder that affects women during childbearing years. The purpose of this literature review is to identify the prevalence and risk factors for PPD among immigrant women in industrialized countries and compare it with prevalence and risk factors for PPD among Arab women in their home countries. 26 studies, published between 1995 and 2013 have been included. In this review, prevalence of PPD among Arab women in their countries ranged 10–37 %, and the prevalence of PPD among immigrant women in industrialized countries ranged 11.2–60 %. Lack of social support, stressful life events, low income, and intimate partner violence were risk factors associated with development of PPD among both Arab women and immigrant women. Immigration stress and lack of access to health care services were found among immigrant women. Lack of social support was more predominant in studies on immigrant women.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. National Institute of Health Website. Understanding postpartum depression. Common but Treatable. http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2005/December2005/docs/01features_02.htm Accessed May 12, 2013.

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevalence of self-reported postpartum depressive symptoms—17 states, 2004–2005. http://www.cdc.gov.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5714a1.htm (2008).

  3. O’Hara MW, McCabe JE. Postpartum depression: current status and future directions. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2013;9:6.1–6.30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. World Health Organization. The World health report: 2001: Mental health: new understanding, new hope.Geneva (2001).

  5. Danaci A, Dinc G, Deveci A, Sen F, Icelli I. Postnatal depression in Turkey: epidemiological and cultural aspects. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2002;37(3):125–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Dankner R, Goldberg R, Fisch R, Crum R. Cultural elements of postpartum depression. A study of 327 Jewish Jerusalem women. J Reprod Med. 2000;45(2):97–104.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Glasser S, Barell V, Shoham A, Ziv A, Boyko V, Lusky A, Hart S. Prospective study of postpartum depression in an Israeli cohort: prevalence, incidence, and demographic risk factors. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 1998;9(3):155–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ganann R, Sword W, Black M, Carpio B. Influence of maternal birthplace on postpartum health and health services use. J Immigr Minor Health. 2012;14(2):223–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Beck CT. A meta-analysis of the relationship between postpartum depression and infant temperament. Nurs Res. 1996;45(4):225–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Beck CT. A meta-analysis of predictors of postpartum depression. Nurs Res. 1996;45(5):297–303.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Beck CT. Revision of the postpartum depression predictors inventory. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2002;31(4):394–402.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Dennis C, Janssen P, Singer J. Identifying women at-risk for postpartum depression in the immediate postpartum period. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2004;110(5):338–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Fung K, Dennis C. Postpartum depression among immigrant women. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2010;23(4):342–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Arab American Institute. http://www.aaiusa.org/pages/arab-americans (2014).

  15. Beck CT. Postpartum depression: a meta-synthesis. Qual Health Res. 2002;12(4):453–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Brand S, Brennan P. Impact of antenatal and postpartum maternal mental illness: how are the children? J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2009;52(3):441–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Grace S, Evindar A, Stewart D. The effect of postpartum depression on child cognitive development and behavior: a review and critical analysis of the literature. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2003;6(4):263–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Goodman SH, Rouse MH, Connell AM, Broth MR, Hall CM, Heyward D. Maternal depression and child psychopathology: a meta-analytic review. Clin Child Family Psychol Rev. 2011;14(1):1–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Gump BB, Reihman J, Stewart P, Lonky E, Darvill T, Granger DA, Matthews K. Trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms over her child’s life span: Relation to adrenocortical, cardiovascular, and emotional functioning in children. Dev Psychopathol. 2009;21(01):207–25.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Ban L, Gibson J, West J, Tata L. Association between perinatal depression in mothers and the risk of childhood infections in offspring: a population-based cohort study. BMC Pub Health. 2010;10:799–806.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. US. Department of Homeland Security. Definition of terms. http://www.dhs.gov/definition-terms#15 (2012).

  22. United State Census Bureau of the Census. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards on race and ethnicity. http://www.census.gov/population/race/about/ (2010).

  23. Heilemann M, Frutos L, Lee K, Kury F. Protective strength factors, resources, and risks in relation to depressive symptoms among childbearing women of Mexican descent. Health Care Women Int J. 2004;25(1):88–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Lucero N, Beckstrand R, Callister LC, Birkhead A. The prevalence of postpartum depression in Hispanic immigrant women. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2012;24(12):726–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Shellman L, Beckstrand R, Callister L, Luthy K, Freeborn D. Postpartum depression in immigrant Hispanic women: a comparative community sample. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2013;00:1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Ghubash R, Eapen V. Postpartum mental illness: perspectives from an Arabian gulf population. Psychol Rep. 2009;105(1):127–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Nahas V, Amasheh N. Culture care meanings and experiences of postpartum depression among Jordanian Australian women: a transcultural study. J Transcult Nurs. 1999;10(1):37–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Stuchbery M, Matthey S, Barnett B. Postnatal depression and social supports in Vietnamese, Arabic and Anglo-celtic mothers. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1998;33(10):483–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Chien L, Tai C, Yeh M. Domestic decision-making power, social support, and postpartum depression symptoms among immigrant and native women in Taiwan. Nurs Res. 2012;61(2):103–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Huang YC, Mathers NJ. Postnatal depression and the experience of South Asian marriage migrant women in Taiwan: survey and semi-structured interview study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2008;45(6):924–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Mechakra-Tahiri S, Zunzunegui M, Seguin L. Self-rated health and postnatal depressive symptoms among immigrant mothers in Québec. Women Health. 2007;45(4):1–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Small R, Lumley J, Yelland J. Cross-cultural experiences of maternal depression: associations and contributing factors for Vietnamese, Turkish and Filipino immigrant women in Victoria Australia. Ethn Health. 2003;8(3):189–206.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Stewart D, Gagnon A, Saucier J, Wahoush O, Dougherty G. Postpartum depression symptoms in newcomers. Can J Psychiatry. 2008;53(2):121–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Sword W, Watt S, Krueger P. Postpartum health, service needs, and access to care experiences of immigrant and Canadian-born women. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2006;35(6):717–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Lansakara N, Brown S, Gartland D. Birth outcomes, postpartum health and primary care contacts of immigrant mothers in an Australian nulliparous pregnancy cohort study. Matern Child Health J. 2010;14(5):807–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Zelkowitz P, Saucier J, Wang T, Katofsky L, Valenzuela M, Westreich R. Stability and change in depressive symptoms from pregnancy to two months postpartum in childbearing immigrant women. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2008;11(1):1–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Stewart DE, Gagnon AJ, Merry LA, Dennis C. Risk factors and health profiles of recent migrant women who experienced violence associated with pregnancy. J Womens Health. 2012;21(10):1100–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Vega WA, Kolody B, Valle R, Hough R. Depressive symptoms and their correlates among immigrant Mexican women in the United States. Soc Sci Med. 1986;22:645–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Beck CT, Gable RK. Screening performance of the postpartum depression screening scale-Spanish version. J Transcult Nurs. 2005;16(4):331–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Abou-Saleh MT, Ghubash R. The prevalence of early postpartum psychiatric morbidity in Dubai: a transcultural perspective. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1997;95(5):428–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Green K, Broome H, Mirabella J. Postnatal depression among mothers in the United Arab Emirates: socio-cultural and physical factors. Psychol Health Med. 2006;11(4):425–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Hamdan A, Tamim H. Psychosocial risk and protective factors for postpartum depression in the United Arab Emirates. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2011;14(2):125–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Agoub M, Moussaoui D, Battas O. Prevalence of postpartum depression in a Moroccan sample. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2005;8:37–43.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Alami K, Kadri N, Berrada S. Prevalence of psychosocial correlates of depressed mood during pregnancy and after childbirth in a Moroccan sample. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2006;9(6):343–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Mohammad K, Gamble J, Creedy D. Prevalence and factors associated with the development of antenatal and postnatal depression among Jordanian women. Midwifery. 2011;27(6):238–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Yehia D, Callister L, Mansour A. Prevalence and predictors of postpartum depression among Arabic muslim Jordanian women serving in the military. Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 2013;27(1):25–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Chaaya M, Campbell OMR, El Kak F, Shaar D, Harb H, Kaddour A. Postpartum depression: prevalence and determinants in Lebanon. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2002;5(2):65–72.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Al Dallal F, Grant I. Postnatal depression among Bahrain women: prevalence of symptoms and psychosocial risk factors. East Mediterranean Health J. 2012;18(5):439–45.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Saleh E, El-Bahei W, El-Hadidy M, Zayed A. Predictors of postpartum depression in a sample of Egyptian women. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:15–24.

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Bener A, Burgut F, Ghuloum S, Sheikh J. A study of postpartum depression in a fast developing country: prevalence and related factors. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2012;43(4):325–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Glasser S, Tanous M, Shihab S, Goldman N, Ziv A, Kaplan G. Perinatal depressive symptoms among Arab women in northern Israel. Matern Child Health J. 2012;16(6):1197–205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Ammermana R, Putnama F, Altayea M, Teetersa A, Stevensc J, Van Ginkela J. Treatment of depressed mothers in home visiting: impact on psychological distress and social functioning. Child Abuse Negl. 2013;37(8):544–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Balaji A, Claussen A, Smith D, Visser S, Morales M, Perou R. Social support networks and maternal mental health and well-being. J Womens Health. 2007;16(10):1386–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Zelkowitz P, Schinazi J, Katofsky L, Saucier J, Valenzuela M, Westreich R, Dayan J. Factors associated with depression in pregnant immigrant women. Transcult Psychiatry. 2004;41(4):445–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Almeida L, Caldas J, Campos D, Salcedo-Barrientos D, Dias S. Maternal healthcare in migrants: a systematic review. Matern Child Health J. 2013;17(8):1346–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Bhui K, Abdi A, Abdi M, Pereira S, Dualeh M, Robertson D, Sathyamoorthy G, Ismail H. Traumatic event, migration characteristics and psychiatric symptoms among Somali refugees. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2003;38(1):35–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Li H, Browne A. Defining mental illness and accessing mental health services: perspectives of Asian Canadians. Can J Community Ment Health. 2000;19(1):143–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Craig T, Jajua P, Warfa N. Mental healthcare needs of refugees. Psychiatry. 2009;8(9):351–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Miranda J, Siddique J, Der-Martirosian C, Belin T. Depression among Latina immigrant mothers separated from their children. Psychiatr Serv. 2005;56(6):717–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. O’Mahonyl J, Donnelly T. :How does gender influence immigrant and refugee women’s postpartum depression help-seeking experiences? J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2013;20:714–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Urquia ML, O’Campo P, Heaman M. Revisiting the immigrant paradox in reproductive health: The roles of duration of residence and ethnicity. Soc Sci Med. 2012;74(10):1610–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Miszkurka M, Goulet L, Zunzunegui M. Contributions of immigration to depressive symptoms among pregnant women in Canada. Can J Public Health. 2010;101(5):358–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Cox J, Holden J, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. Br J Psychiatry. 1987;150:782–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Steele LS, Lemieux-Charles L, Clark JP, Glazier RH. The impact of policy changes on the health of recent immigrants and refugees in the inner city. A qualitative study of service providers’ perspectives. Can J Public Health. 2002;93(2):118–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Katz D, Gagnon AJ. Evidence of adequacy of postpartum care for immigrant women. Can J Nurs Res. 2002;34(4):71–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Bender DE, Harbour C, Thorp J, Morris P. Tell me what you mean by ‘‘si’’: perceptions of quality of prenatal care among immigrant Latina women. Qual Health Res. 2001;11(6):780–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Martin SL, Mackie L, Kupper LL, Buescher PA, Moracco KE. Physical abuse of women before, during, and after pregnancy. J Am Med Assoc. 2001;285:1581–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wayne State University, College of Nursing, Detroit, MI, USA

    Dalia Alhasanat & Judith Fry-McComish

  2. Wayne State University, College of Nursing, 5557 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Dalia Alhasanat

Authors
  1. Dalia Alhasanat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Judith Fry-McComish
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dalia Alhasanat.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alhasanat, D., Fry-McComish, J. Postpartum Depression Among Immigrant and Arabic Women: Literature Review. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 1882–1894 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0165-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0165-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation