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Motherhood and Postnatal Depression pp 23–37Cite as

Biopsychosocial Theories and Treatment Options for Postnatal Depression

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Abstract

Our aim in this chapter is to provide a broad theoretical understanding of PND. The study on which this book is based aimed to explore how women and their partners understand and resolve PND. The emphasis will be placed on the psychosocial factors in the development and resolution of PND. In this chapter, we will examine the differences between the biomedical and sociological models in their understanding and treatment of PND. As previously discussed, the biomedical model has been the dominant model in the literature investigating PND (Beck 2002), but this model only partially explains the illness. In this chapter, we argue that a biopsychosocial approach is needed to fully understand PND because using only the biomedical model neglects the personal, social and cultural context of women’s experiences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Peace of Mind Parenting Support, 3126, Eltham, Victoria, Australia

    Carolyn Westall

  2. School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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  1. Carolyn Westall
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Correspondence to Carolyn Westall .

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Westall, C., Liamputtong, P. (2011). Biopsychosocial Theories and Treatment Options for Postnatal Depression. In: Motherhood and Postnatal Depression. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1694-0_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1694-0_3

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