Date of Award

6-11-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Sandi Tenfelde

Abstract

Significance –As many as 25% of birthing persons experience postpartum depression (PPD) within the first year after childbirth making this one of the most common postpartum disorders. PPD is prevalent, incapacitating, and treatable. The first step is identifying those at risk. Rural birthing persons are understudied, and may have unique predisposing characteristics as well as geographic challenges for optimal detection and treatment of PPD. Purpose -The long-term goal is to improve the health of rural families. Using The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms, the purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional research was to describe the prevalence of PPD in rural birthing persons and explain the extent to which non-modifiable and modifiable biological, psychological, and social/situational factors explain PPD among rural birthing persons. Methods -A convenience sample of 150 rural birthing persons were invited to participate in an internet survey of factors related to PPD. Information on demographics as well as non-modifiable and modifiable biological, psychological, and social/situational factors was assessed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Implications-Recognizing the prevalence of PPD in rural birthing persons allows for advocating for appropriate resources. Identifying the potentially modifiable factors can encourage development of nursing interventions to help promote mental health for rural birthing persons and their families.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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