Media representations of postpartum depression in UK newspapers (2020-2025): A thematic content analysis

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common maternal mental health disorder, affecting up to one in six mothers, with serious consequences for maternal well-being, child development, and economic costs. Media shape public mental health perceptions, and newspapers remain an important information source. Yet systematic analyses of UK newspaper coverage of PPD are scarce. This study examined representations in national newspapers (2020-2025), comparing broadsheets and tabloids to identify themes and shifts over time.

A qualitative content analysis was conducted using LexisNexis (a commercial database that aggregates full-text news content from national and international print and online media) to retrieve six widely read and influential national newspapers (The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, Daily Mirror, The Sun, Daily Mail) from 2020 to 2025. Guided by a social constructionist framework, articles meeting inclusion criteria were analysed at a latent level using inductive reflexive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach.

From 1,425 records, 68 articles met the inclusion criteria and five themes were identified: shifting awareness of postpartum depression, stigma and silence around disclosure, maternal mental health services and support, the impact of COVID-19, and lived experiences of distress, recovery and cultural representation. Coverage overall appeared to move from early minimisation toward greater recognition, with reporting highest in 2023 before declining in subsequent years; this pattern should be interpreted cautiously given the short timeframe and modest sample. Broadsheets provided most reporting, often highlighting systemic failings and inequalities, while tabloids contributed fewer articles, relying largely on emotive personal stories and celebrity accounts.

UK newspaper portrayals increasingly acknowledged postpartum depression but continued to perpetuate stigma and expose weaknesses in support systems. The findings illustrate the media's dual influence in validating maternal mental health while sustaining obstacles, offering implications for awareness, stigma reduction, and policy development.