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Article

In Their Own Words: A Qualitative Investigation of the Factors Influencing Maternal Postpartum Functioning in the United States

by
Ariana M. Albanese
1,*,
Pamela A. Geller
1,
Jackson M. Steinkamp
2 and
Jennifer L. Barkin
3
1
Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
2
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
3
Mercer University School of Medicine Department of Community Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(17), 6021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176021
Submission received: 20 July 2020 / Revised: 14 August 2020 / Accepted: 17 August 2020 / Published: 19 August 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs): Correlates, Consequences, Screening Practices, Treatment Protocols, Interventions, Pharmacology and Public Health Impact)
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Abstract

During the first twelve months postpartum, infants require intensive care and mothers are susceptible to physical and mental health concerns as they undergo a period of tremendous psychological and physiological adjustment. The mother’s level of postpartum functioning not only impacts her experience as a mother but also the infant and family unit. However, efforts to bolster functioning are lacking, and previous literature has identified a gap between what experts recommend and what mothers desire during the postpartum period. To address this, we conducted structured interviews with a diverse sample of 30 postpartum mothers to identify factors that mothers report are most influential to their postpartum functioning. In total, we identified 23 clinically actionable factors, all of which are backed by existing literature. In addition to an in-depth presentation of the qualitative findings, we also present a heat map to visualize the relevance of these factors to each of seven established domains of maternal functioning. Lastly, based on our findings, we offer a taxonomy of interventional strategies that could bolster maternal functioning during this critical period.
Keywords: maternal postpartum functioning; maternal–child health; women’s health maternal postpartum functioning; maternal–child health; women’s health

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MDPI and ACS Style

Albanese, A.M.; Geller, P.A.; Steinkamp, J.M.; Barkin, J.L. In Their Own Words: A Qualitative Investigation of the Factors Influencing Maternal Postpartum Functioning in the United States. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 6021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176021

AMA Style

Albanese AM, Geller PA, Steinkamp JM, Barkin JL. In Their Own Words: A Qualitative Investigation of the Factors Influencing Maternal Postpartum Functioning in the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(17):6021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176021

Chicago/Turabian Style

Albanese, Ariana M., Pamela A. Geller, Jackson M. Steinkamp, and Jennifer L. Barkin. 2020. "In Their Own Words: A Qualitative Investigation of the Factors Influencing Maternal Postpartum Functioning in the United States" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 17: 6021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176021

APA Style

Albanese, A. M., Geller, P. A., Steinkamp, J. M., & Barkin, J. L. (2020). In Their Own Words: A Qualitative Investigation of the Factors Influencing Maternal Postpartum Functioning in the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(17), 6021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176021

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