| Recent perspectives in the understanding of depressive disorders from multiple theoretical orientations, as well as the developments in neuropsychology and psychopharmacology, have paved the way to a more thorough and comprehensive perspective of postpartum depression (PPD). Postpartum depression has become a phenomenon which can be treated adequately and efficiently given that it is recognized in a timely manner and sufficient resources for the treatment are available. It is estimated that about 15-25% of women experience postpartum depression in the United States alone (Stapleton, Schetter, Rini, Hobel, Westling, Glynn, & Sandman, 2012). Many women may not speak out about their feelings of sadness after birth because of popular and normalized ideas about pregnancy being one of the happiest times in one's life. Overall, this dissertation project of designing a measure to predict the likelihood of developing PPD among pregnant women, served mostly as an informational resource for obstetricians or gynecologists. The purpose was to enhance awareness of PPD in the medical community and to allocate attention to the risks involved in leaving PPD unattended. |
