Group-based interventions for postpartum depression: An integrative review and conceptual model

• Published in: Archives of psychiatric nursing 2019-06, Vol.33 (3), p.290-298
• Main Authors: Gillis, Brenna D., Parish, Abby L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Depression, Postpartum - diagnosis; Female; Group therapy; Humans; Integrative review; Nursing; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Postpartum depression; Psychotherapy, Group; Social Support; Support group; Women's mental health
• ISSN: 0883-9417; 1532-8228
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2019.01.009

This integrative review explores how and to what extent group-based therapy and social support interventions affect women's recovery from postpartum depression (PPD). Thirteen articles from three databases met inclusion criteria. The studies revealed that a group environment of acceptance and understanding set a foundation for women to share their experiences with PPD. As women shared challenges, wisdom, and guidance within the group, they attained positive outcomes: validation, empowerment, and improvements in depressive symptoms. An integrated conceptual model was created to depict the identified characteristics and outcomes of PPD groups; clinicians can use the model to optimize group-based PPD interventions. •Postpartum depression (PPD) is a public health concern, associated with adverse outcomes for women and infants.•In recent years, studies have explored the use of group-based interventions for women struggling with PPD.•This integrative review showed that women’s experience in PPD groups could be conceptualized as three interrelated domains.•From the integrated findings, a conceptual model was created to depict the ways in which PPD groups may help women recover.•Clinicians can utilize the conceptual model to design and better understand group-based interventions for women with PPD.