Childbirth as a life event: Sociocultural aspects of postnatal depression

Abstract

This paper illustrated some important socio-cultural aspects of postnatal depression with particular reference to my research in East Africa. Evidence is reviewed that in many non Western countries post-partum rituals are still carried out and the hypothesis that the absence of such routine behaviours increases the likelihood of postnatal depression is examined. The lack of obstetric and family rituals may for example lower a mothers self esteem, stress the marital relationship, and can represent an ambivalent social status. The need to investigate this socio-cultural dimension of postnatal illness in collaboration with Medial Anthropologists is outlined.