Epidemio-clinical Profile of the Baby Blues in Cameroonian Women

Abstract

Depression within adolescent pregnancy can be a significantly negative experience with detrimental consequences to the pregnant individual and/or her offspring, physically and/or mentally. Consistent with expected findings, participants within the current study identified a negative experience associated with symptoms of depression within adolescent pregnancy. Cognitive theories, including Beck’s Cognitive Theory of Depression, support the results as these theories identify that individuals who viewed their experience negatively are more likely to have developed and reported symptoms of depression. The conclusion obtained from the current study was based on the implementation of semi-structured interviews, as individuals within the study described their experience of depression within adolescent pregnancy after its occurrence. Due to the vulnerable nature of pregnant adolescents, participants were ages 18 and older, who experienced depression within pregnancy between the ages of 13 and 19 years old. Based on the significance of the reported symptoms and associated experience of depression, individuals were able to provide specific examples and details highlighting the negative aspects of depression within teenage pregnancy. Based on participant responses to open-ended interview questions and the symptoms reported, five themes were identified: 1) depressed mood/negative outlook, 2) reduced self-esteem, 3) loss of interest, 4) physical experience of depression, and the 5) emotional/psychological experience of depression. The study was implemented to close the gap in literature regarding an examination of depression within adolescent pregnancy through openended conversational interviews and based on participant experience through self-report. In addition, the study contributes to the field of behavioral science, as it provides an enhanced understanding of the identified population, including needs associated with screening and treatment, as well as promotes a future direction for research