Factors Affecting Postpartum Depressive Symptoms of Adolescent Mothers - Essay Example

"Factors Affecting Postpartum Depressive Symptoms of Adolescent Mothers" is a wonderful example of a paper on maternal health. One found the contents of the article entitled “Factors Affecting Postpartum Depressive Symptoms (PDS) of Adolescent Mothers” written by Secco, et al. (2007) most illuminating. The authors aptly presented the information in an accurately clear and straightforward manner; in conjunction with using a comprehensible language that paved the way for a universal understanding of readers, across diverse disciplines. The manner of presentation was effective through initially establishing the conceptual framework for the study and eventually pursuing the research methodology and design. The research aim, which was stated as “to assess the extent that anticipated maternal emotions in response to infant care, several forms of social support, and socioeconomic status explain fourth-week postpartum depressive symptoms of adolescent mothers” (Secco, et al., 2007, p. 47) was effectively achieved. The results pointing to factors such as anticipated infant care emotionality and social support from family were reportedly significantly linked with PDS was therefore appropriately validated.

Personal Views on Conducting Similar Study

            One would have wanted to conduct similar studies to further validate the consistency of the results. Further research of the same nature could be conducted using larger sample size and where participants could come from different cultural backgrounds and orientations. Likewise, since the authors noted that there were limitations of the current study in terms of “convenience sampling, recruitment from only two high-risk settings, and attrition of participants” (Secco, et al., 2007, p. 52), these concerns could therefore be adjusted to incorporate more objective alternatives to the sample selection and design; and to further determine the consistency of the findings.

Personal Views on Feasibility and Effectivity of the Article

            The study that was conducted effectively justified its feasibility and effectivity in terms

of providing a clear theoretical framework, as well as designing specific research questions that would illuminate health care practitioners, particularly nurses, in identifying risk factors for pregnant adolescent mothers who could develop PDS. As disclosed, its current and future implications for nursing practice proved to be beneficial in applying appropriate interventions that would assist adolescent expectant mothers and prevent them from developing PDS.

Appropriateness of Research Design

            The authors effectively justified their rationale for using the research design that was currently implemented for the study. It was commendable that there was an imminent need to determine more effective methods for screening and measuring vulnerability to depressive symptoms during prenatal examinations. Therefore, the accuracy of using a more appropriate and accurate method to measure depressive symptoms could affect the research design and the eventual results. Likewise, measures of socioeconomic status could also be improved, by not solely relying on the grandmother’s relevant demographic factors to establish the reliability of this variable.

Valid Support of Contentions

            Overall, the authors established effective support to their arguments through their research design, through a collection of responses, and through the use of substantial secondary sources of authoritative information on the subject.

Suggestions on Ways to Improve the Study

            One way of improving the study is to replace outdated secondary references (those beyond the 10-year period) and to address the limitations that were noted by the authors. Also, the study could be conducted using larger sample size, and more varied cultural participants, to prove the consistency in results.

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