Immigrant Asian Indian women and postpartum depression

To determine the incidence of postpartum depressive symptomatology in a sample of immigrant Asian Indian women and to establish whether cultural factors such as arranged marriage or gender of the newborn are associated with differences in depression scores.

Quantitative, descriptive study.

Ten private obstetric and pediatric offices in Northern California.

A convenience sample of 58 self-selected immigrant Asian Indian women between 2 weeks and 12 months postpartum.

Depressive symptomatology as measured by the 35-item self-report Postpartum Depression Screening Scale.

There was a minor depressive symptomatology rate of 28% and an additional major depressive symptomatology rate of 24%. No differences in depression scores were found with regard to arranged marriage or the gender of the newborn.

Findings suggest that Asian Indian women living in the United States are just as likely to experience postpartum depressive symptomatology as White women. Therefore, it is critical to identify and refer women at risk for postpartum depression to ensure they do not become part of the 50% who remain undiagnosed. Health care providers need to become cognizant of the potential for postpartum depression and become skilled in the detection of this mood disorder.