A Qualitative Study Exploring Migrant Pakistani-Muslim Women's Lived Experiences and Understanding of Postnatal Depression

An array of literature suggests that "postnatal depression" is particularly high among Black and Minority Ethnicities, migrant women, those from non-English-speaking backgrounds, and South Asian women.
Studies which have been conducted in this field, tend to be from a quantitative stance, not taking much account for individual experiences. Qualitative research which has been conducted tends to place women from South Asian communities into one group which ignores the existing diversities within South Asian communities. As a result, the experiences of migrant Pakistani-Muslim women within the context of maternal distress have been largely overlooked.
This research tries to address this gap by attempting to gain a rich understanding of migrant Pakistani-Muslim women's experiences of postnatal depression within motherhood. The research hopes to inform clinical practice and suggests ways of improving supportive services for this group of migrant women.
A qualitative approach was used to interview four migrant Pakistani-Muslim women in London aged: 27-39 who subjectively experienced depression during the postnatal period in motherhood. The interview transcripts were analysed based on the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Six main themes emerged from the data: 'experiencing transitions', 'the experience of significant relationships', 'the body and motherhood', living with postnatal distress', the experience and perception of Pakistani culture' and 'patchy provision of "good" healthcare'.
The research findings illustrate that migrant Pakistani-Muslim women's experiences of postnatal depression maybe complex and seem to be a combined product of psychosocial, cultural and physiological issues and stressors.
This study highlights the importance of support for migrant Pakistani-Muslim women and how healthcare services could improve to meet their needs, which may ultimately reduce or prevent experiences of maternal distress.