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Couples' experiences of postnatal depression: A framing analysis of cultural identity, gender and communication

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  • Everingham, Christine Rosemary
  • Heading, Gaynor
  • Connor, Linda

Abstract

Difficulties in communication have been associated with fathers' perceived lack of support for mothers suffering postnatal depression (PND). This paper investigates why the communication of the experience of PND is so difficult and considers how these difficulties might be linked, in part, to the diagnostic process. The study explores, through in-depth interviews, how six Australian couples talked about the new mothers' experience of mild to moderate PND. Framing analysis revealed discrepancies in the couples' explanations of the mothers' PND. The application of the concept of 'framing' has come to the study of mental health by way of Goffman's work on how experience becomes organised. Goffman used the technique of 'frame analysis' to identify and describe the taken-for-granted sociocultural elements that give meaning to a situation. This study identified that mothers and fathers used different frames, with mothers understanding their postnatal experience primarily from within an 'identity' frame and fathers understanding the mothers' experience primarily through a 'psychological' or 'physical hardship' frame. Implications for health service providers are considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Everingham, Christine Rosemary & Heading, Gaynor & Connor, Linda, 2006. "Couples' experiences of postnatal depression: A framing analysis of cultural identity, gender and communication," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(7), pages 1745-1756, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:62:y:2006:i:7:p:1745-1756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Westfall, Rachel Emma & Benoit, Cecilia, 2004. "The rhetoric of "natural" in natural childbirth: childbearing women's perspectives on prolonged pregnancy and induction of labour," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(7), pages 1397-1408, October.
    2. Lloyd, Beverley & Hawe, Penelope, 2003. "Solutions forgone? How health professionals frame the problem of postnatal depression," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(10), pages 1783-1795, November.
    3. Rodrigues, Merlyn & Patel, Vikram & Jaswal, Surinder & de Souza, Nandita, 2003. "Listening to mothers: qualitative studies on motherhood and depression from Goa, India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(10), pages 1797-1806, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Henshaw, Erin J. & Durkin, Kristine M. & Snell, Rita J., 2016. "First-time parents’ shared representation of postpartum depressive symptoms: A qualitative analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 102-110.
    2. Catarina Luís & Maria Cristina Canavarro & Ana Fonseca, 2019. "Men’s Intentions to Recommend Professional Help-Seeking to Their Partners in the Postpartum Period: the Direct and Indirect Effects of Gender-Role Conflict," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Stone, Meredith & Kokanovic, Renata, 2016. "“Halfway towards recovery”: Rehabilitating the relational self in narratives of postnatal depression," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 98-106.

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