Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Senior Thesis

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Primary Major

Nursing

Thesis Advisor

Deborah Meshel, BSN, MSN

Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines the impact of a culturally centered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and postpartum depression (PPD) education on reducing PPD which will prevent maternal suicide among Asian American mothers. There is stigma around PPD among Asian American mothers, and there’s a lack of research on culturally sensitive interventions. This emphasized the need for nurses to promote help-seeking practices and reduce mental health stigma in this community.

Methods

This quantitative true experimental design aims to evaluate the effectiveness of culturally competent CBT in reducing PPD thus ultimately decreasing maternal suicide. The sample will consist of 120 postpartum Asian American women from San Francisco birthing hospitals. Data will be collected from the Epic system, with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria related to age, EPDS score, and other mental health factors. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group, receiving standard care, or an intervention group, that will attend a 3-week CBT workshop, led by women who have recovered from PPD. Topics covered will include: coping strategies, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications tailored for Asian mothers. A t-test will be used to compare the two groups by assessing the impact of starting the intervention immediately versus delaying it by 2 weeks.

Results

The anticipated outcome will be that a culturally competent CBT will aid to reduce PPD, therefore helping to decrease or prevent maternal suicide.

Conclusions

Ultimately, nurses can use this information to provide care to Asian American mothers with a more culturally competent approach.

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