2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

BLACK CARIBBEAN WOMEN'S PERCEPTIONS AND RESPONSES TO PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH

Dawn Edge and Anne Rogers

National Primary Care Research and Development Centre (NPCRDC), University of Manchester

Dawnette.Edge@stud.man.ac.uk

Background: Compared with South Asian and White women there has been little research into perinatal psychopathology among Black Caribbean women in the UK. This may reflect the fact that, despite being over-represented among diagnoses with psychoses and schizophrenia, Black Caribbeans are virtually absent from psychiatric epidemiology associated with neurotic illnesses such as anxiety and depression.

Qualitative data reported here forms part of a wider, multi-method study which addresses unanswered questions about the prevalence, causal models, and experience of perinatal depression amongst Black Caribbean women - including influences on their help-seeking behaviours.

Objectives: To explore Black Caribbean women's beliefs about the genesis, nature, management, and outcome of perinatal depression and the impact of their beliefs and attitudes on help-seeking

Methods: A purposive sample of twelve Black Caribbean women was drawn from the epidemiological study. Women were interviewed between six and twelve months following delivery. Interviews were taped, transcribed, and thematically analysed. QSR NUD*IST was utilised to facilitate data management and analysis.

Results: Black Caribbean women expressed difficulty in conceptualising perinatal depression. They attributed their unfamiliarity with the concept of depression to socio-cultural imperatives to minimise distress and unwillingness to acknowledge or discuss depressive symptoms. Reluctance to seek help was also predicated by fear that antidepressant medication would lead to escalation of symptoms and eventual re-diagnosis with more serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

Conclusions: Despite much media attention and health promotion initiatives Black Caribbean women remain unfamiliar with the concept, nature, and reported treatment outcomes of depressive illness. These factors appear to negatively influence their willingness to consult for symptoms of depression.