Article Permission to be Authentic: An Intervention for Postpartum

This is a qualitative study of postpartum women recipients of a home-visitation social support program. Recipients of the program have been identified by a health care professional as at risk for moderate postpartum mood disorder. Relational–cultural theory and social support theories provided a conceptual framework. Results indicated (a) new mothers feel isolated and guilt at not feeling happier and (b) that a relational component this study termed ‘‘permission to be authentic’’ appeared to be important. New mothers experience motherhood in a profoundly different context than mothers of other times. These findings may improve the training of providers and program development for postpartum women. Keywords postpartum, relational cultural theory, authenticity This study examines a relation-based home visitation program for new mothers who have been identified by a health care professional as being at risk for postpartum depression. Its approach is different from a home visiting nurse or counseling intervention in that it uses volunteer parapro-fessionals to provide relations-based, social support to the new mother. This study sought to understand the new mothers ’ experiences of this intervention, and if helpful, why it was deemed helpful by the new mothers. There is an ongoing need for health and mental health professionals to provide quality services to postpartum women. Nearly 28 % of women who give birth may develop postpartum depressio