ABSTRACT
242 Objective: To review and summarize the evidence about prevalence and types of maternal mental health conditions and help-seeking behaviors among South Asian American women; the unique cultural values and practices surrounding the perinatal period; and perinatal mood disorders among South Asian mothers around the globe. The authors discuss the barriers South Asian American women face in seeking and utilizing mental health care during the perinatal period, and offer recommendations for addressing the identified gaps through changes in practice, research and policies.
Key Findings: Several research studies have noted that perinatal mood disorder is a concern among South Asian women living in other countries. To date, however, very few studies in the United States have included South Asian women in their study samples when investigating this disorder. Cultural issues associated with perinatal mood disorder include infant gender (male preferred over females) and lack of social support. The stigma of mental illness also remains an important theme throughout many studies and has been noted as a key barrier to seeking and utilizing mental health-care services. Finally, the signs and symptoms of perinatal mood disorder are difficult to decipher and South Asian cultural values, traditions, and practices may further complicate timely identification and treatment of the disorder.
Recommendations: The growing South Asian population in the United States requires attention toward a greater understanding of perinatal mood disorder within the context of their unique cultural values, traditions, and practices. Future research must include larger, more diverse samples of South Asian women with the addition of qualitative research, in order to further understand the complexities interwoven within cultural traditions and practices that may limit South Asian families from seeking help for mental health needs. Due to the diversity within South Asian subcultures, there is also a need to reframe the examination of perinatal mood disorder for this population. These findings will support health-care providers in further understanding the needs of this population and may also assist local, state, and federal agencies in establishing future funding priorities.
