erbal teas for sleep improvement, finding that one cup of chamomile tea for two weeks elicited significant
Throughout multiple studies on various intervention strategies, many women with postpartum depression have reported that social support has been an essential component of their recovery process (Buttner et al., 2015; Keefe, Brownstein-Evans, & Polmanteer, 2016; Kim & Dee, 2017; Morton & Forsey, 2014). Gillis and Parish (2019) sought to explicitly explore the benefits of group-based interventions in the treatment of PPD in their research review. In the synthesis of their data, they report finding three primary themes related to the experiences of women in group-based PPD interventions: group environment, sharing, and outcomes (Gillis & Parish, 2019).
The importance of the group environment provided access to the crucial aspects of ‘moms who understand’– anchored in the belief that “only those who have personally experienced PPD can comprehend the emotional anguish” (p. 4) – as well as ‘a place to be accepted’ (Gillis & Parish, 2019). The second theme, ‘sharing of experiences with mood and motherhood’ emerged as a foundation of work to be accomplished in group settings, allowing women to share challenges, knowledge, practical guidance, and wisdom; leading to an achievement of feeling a decreased burden as they progressed toward recovery (Gillis & Parish, 2019). Lastly, in the third theme that was identified, outcomes, outlines ways in which women felt that the groups promoted recovery from depression as a process: ‘validation—its ok to feel this way’; ‘empowered—hope that we won’t always feel this way’; and ‘healed—toward recovery’(Gillis & Parish, 2019).
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS
While much of the focus in the occupational therapy profession remains aimed at the assessment and intervention of the individual, a growing trend exists in the practice of occupational therapy toward community-based and population-based interventions of care (Scaffa, Reitz, & Pizzi, 2010). Many aspects of the traditional individual-level OT intervention may include for health promotion activities, but there exists a significant possibility for the profession to broaden the scope of impact by directly influencing public health needs via the family, community, and societal levels (Scaffa, Reitz, & Pizzi, 2010).
In implementing population health strategies with the goal of reducing the incidence of any condition, Scaffa, Reitz and Pizzi (2010) articulate that this is to be achieved through the combination of two primary strategies: early detection and prevention. Additional strategies to impact population health include health services, health promotion, and health protection. The combination of these critical strategies represents the most comprehensive approach to effectively achieving community and population health outcomes. Table 2 elaborates on the definitions of these key terms.
Actions and interventions designed to identify risks, and reduce susceptibility or exposure to health threats prior to disease onset (primary prevention), detect and treat disease in early stages to prevent progress or recurrence (secondary prevention), and alleviate the effects of disease and injury (tertiary prevention).
Interventions typically provided by health-care medical professionals after symptoms are present or diagnosis is evident.
Interventions directed at lifestyle and involve any planned combination of educational, political, regulatory, environmental, and organization supports for actions and conditions of living conducive to the health of individuals, groups, or communities.
Any planned intervention or services designed to provide individuals and communities with resistance to health threats, often by modifying policy or the environment to decrease potentially harmful interactions.
(Scaffa, Reitz, & Pizzi, 2010)
Applying these strategies to positively impact the public health concern of postpartum depression requires the creation of effective community health promotion programs which integrate interventions that