Materinstvo v senci poporodne depresije

Osredkar, Jaka (author), Videmšek, Petra (mentor)

V magistrskem delu je raziskovalni fokus usmerjen na materinjenje, ki ga obravnavam kot proces oblikovanja in udejanjanja materinske vloge ob sočasnem soočanju s poporodno depresijo, zato v teoretičnem delu najprej opredelim materinstvo kot pojav na presečišču med biologijo in družbo, s poudarkom na nosečnosti, porodu in zgodnjem poporodnem obdobju. Nadalje je predstavljeno področje maternalnega duševnega zdravja, pri čemer je poporodna depresija umeščena med ostale duševne stiske poporodnega obdobja. Slednjo nato natančneje opredelim skozi dejavnike tveganja, simptome, možnosti zdravljenja in negativne vplive, ki jih ima poporodna depresija za mater, otroka in družino. V zadnjem delu posebno pozornost namenim formalnim in neformalnim oblikam podpore in pomoči ter vlogi socialnega dela. Z raziskavo sem želel ugotoviti, kako ženske, ki se soočajo s poporodno depresijo, doživljajo svojo tranzicijo v materinstvo, s katerimi izzivi se srečujejo, katere oblike podpore in pomoči ocenjujejo kot učinkovite in nenazadnje: česa bi pri premagovanju duševne stiske potrebovale v večji meri. Glavni cilj magistrskega dela je poiskati točke, na katerih bi se v proces obravnave lahko vključili tudi zaposleni v socialnem delu. Raziskava je bila izvedena s pomočjo kvalitativne metode raziskovanja, in sicer na podlagi delno standardiziranega vprašalnika. V raziskavo je bilo vključenih osem udeleženk; na podlagi pogovorov z njimi sem skozi proces tematske analize ugotovil, da je tranzicija v materinstvo za ženske s poporodno depresijo kompleksen proces, ki ga oblikujejo raznolike izkušnje nosečnosti, poroda, družbenih pričakovanj in socioekonomskih okoliščin. Depresija se je izražala skozi telesne, čustvene in kognitivne spremembe, močno otežila materinjenje ter pomembno vplivala na odnos z otrokom, na partnerske in družinske odnose ter odnose z drugimi ljudmi. Ključno vlogo pri soočanju z duševno stisko in pri njenem premagovanju sta imeli formalna in neformalna podpora ter pomoč, ki pa sta bili pogosto doživeti kot pomanjkljivi in nedostopni. Udeleženke so izpostavile potrebo po kontinuirani, individualno prilagojeni in sočutni obravnavi ter večji ozaveščenosti in destigmatizaciji poporodne depresije. Rezultate raziskave sem v razpravi povezal z obstoječo literaturo in raziskavami na tem področju, za konec pa podal sklepe in predloge za nadaljnje ukrepe in raziskave.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: duševno zdravje žensk, poporodna depresija, materinjenje, podpora in pomoč, socialno delo z družino
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: FSD - Faculty of Social Work
• Year: 2026
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-178457
• Publication date in RUL: 28.01.2026

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Motherhood Under the Shadow of Postpartum Depression

Abstract

The master’s thesis focuses on motherhood, here understood as a process in which the maternal role is formed and realised simultaneously with perinatal depression. The theoretical introduction first provides the definition of motherhood from biological and social perspectives, with emphasis on pregnancy, birth and the early perinatal period. This is followed by an overview of the concept of maternal mental health, placing perinatal depression within the broader context of mental disorders observed in the perinatal period. Perinatal depression is then described in terms of risk factors, symptoms, treatment options and its negative effects on the mother, child and family. The next part details forms of formal and informal help and support, as well as the role of social work. The research shows how women who face perinatal depression experience their transition into motherhood, what challenges they meet, which forms of help and support they find effective. It also examines what they would need more of to overcome their mental distress. The main aim of the master’s thesis was to identify entry points for social workers to take part in the process of perinatal depression treatment. The research was based on a quantitative method. It used a partly standardised questionnaire answered by eight participants. The thematic analysis has shown that, for women suffering from perinatal depression, the transition into motherhood is a complex process shaped by varied experiences of pregnancy, birth, social expectations and socioeconomic circumstances. Depression resulted in bodily, emotional and cognitive changes, and significantly handicapped the participants in their motherhood. This also influenced their relationships with the child, partner, family and other people. Formal and informal help and support, which played a key role in facing the mental distress, were often seen as insufficient and inaccessible. Emphasising the importance of raising awareness of perinatal depression and destigmatising it, the participants pointed out the need to establish a continuing, individual-based and compassionate treatment. The discussion section presents the results alongside the relevant existing literature and research, followed by the conclusion and suggestions for further research and measures.

• Keywords: women’s mental health, postpartum depression, mothering, help and support, social work with the family