Care for Postpartum Depression: What Do Women and Their Partners Prefer?

Purpose To compare the preferences of those who accept a mental health assessment and those who do not. Design and Methods Thirty couples participated in a qualitative study. Nineteen couples accepted a mental health assessment and 11 declined. Findings Acceptors wanted more contact with professionals. Decliners preferred support from their informal network, parental leave, and exercise. However, acceptors also cited these preferences. Practice Implications Nurses should tailor care to couples' preferences, helping them identify and utilize preferred resources. Mental health care might be more acceptable to decliners if provided in obstetrical care.