Background & aim: Childbirth sometimes arouses intense emotional and psychosocial distress among the mothers, known as postpartum depression, reducing quality of life and health outcomes for mothers and their newborns. However, little is known about the experience of women living in rural settings with this condition. This study explores the experiences of women with postpartum depression in the rural areas of Jordan.
Methods: In this qualitative descriptive study, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were held with 12 women residing in rural Jordan, who were initially selected through purposive sampling at primary healthcare centers followed by snowball sampling to reach women in isolated rural areas. Data was audio-recorded, and analyzed using content analysis technique proposed by Hsieh and Shannon.
Results: Three overarching themes were identified, with various subthemes, as follows. (A) “Emotional and psychosocial status” including subthemes of (1) sadness and emotional instability, (2) fear and anxiety, and (3) loss of identity. (B) “Effects on Daily Life” consisting subthemes of (1) disrupted sleep and persistent fatigue, (2) disrupted relationship with partner, and (3) social withdrawal. (C) “Coping and Support” embracing subthemes of (1) support from partner, family and friends, (2) poor understanding by society, (3) professional healthcare support and therapy, (4) spirituality and religion, and (5) stigma and fear of seeking conventional support.
Conclusion: Postpartum depression inflicts negative psychosocial implications among the Jordanian rural women, and despite the available coping mechanisms, such as social support and spirituality, there is still evidence that societal stigma and a lack of understanding often hindered effective help-seeking.