A nursing practice paradigm for depressed rural women: theoretical basis

Depression is common among disadvantaged, rural women. Few of these women are treated because of access barriers or because treatment does not meet their needs. A treatment program for major depressive disorder (MDD) was designed based on biopsychosocial perspectives of the cause of MDD and practice roles of psychiatric nurses. The Nursing Practice Paradigm for Depressed Rural Women (NPP) guides a structured short-term nursing care program for MDD, the Women's Affective Illness Treatment Program (WAIT). The NPP and its theoretical basis are described.