Postpartum depression from the perspectives of married immigrant women in Korea: A qualitative study

The aim of the study was to explore postpartum depression (PPD) among immigrant women in Korea. Ten participants from Vietnam, China and Cambodia, who self-reported as having experienced PPD, were recruited by purposive sampling. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews and subsequently analyzed using the constant comparative method. Two main themes were identified as emotional expressions of and strategies to postpartum depression. The first theme constituted extreme sorrow, animosity towards others, general despondence and insecurity in the absence of their spouses. In the second theme, coping strategies included postpartum care from mothers, expression of their repressed emotions, refreshing home-cooked meals and perseverance. Postpartum depression among immigrant women requires a thorough contextual deliberation of the lack of support system, insufficient understanding of child rearing, economic pressure and acculturation.