ITS A WOMANS CRY FOR HELP - A RELATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

The two most influential bodies of work on postnatal depression are st udies informed by the medical model and feminist analyses. This articl e begins by reviewing medical and feminist theories, highlighting thei r contributions to our understanding of postnatal depression as well a s their limitations. In particular clinical studies have focused on th e individual mother and her circumstances, while feminist theories hav e emphasized the sociopolitical context at the expense of the individu al. This article argues that a relational approach, which takes 'relat ionship' as a unit of analysis, and explores women's feelings in terms of their relationships to themselves, their interpersonal relationshi ps, and their varying relationships to cultural and structural opportu nities and constraints, provides a fruitful way of understanding postn atal depression. The article discusses a qualitative study of 18 women 's experiences which aimed to develop such an understanding of postnat al depression. Drawing on feminist and relational methodology and theo ry the study sought to explore and prioritize women's own understandin gs and accounts of their experiences; elucidate the processes through which the women became depressed; and understand postnatal depression in terms of the similarities and differences between the women and the ir lives.