Around 8–13% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression (PPD) worldwide. In the Greater China Region, this figure rises to around 20%. How does the Chinese culture (especially in terms of gender relationship and family dynamics) influence Chinese women understand, experience, and deal with PPD?  

We conducted interviews with 38 mothers with small children in China to find out. Some interesting findings are:

New mothers want instrumental supports from their own mothers and mothers-in-law; informational support from their friends, physicians, and the Internet; and emotional support from their husbands. Anger and stress occur when such expectations are not met. Such expectations are rooted in China’ traditional definition of families and gender roles.

• Traditional Chinese families are extended families where three or even four generations live together. Consequently, having a child is not only the choice of a couple but also their duty to their parents, and raising a child, likewise, is the responsibility of the grandparents as much as that of the parents.
• China’s traditional gender roles dictate that women are responsible for household chores while men are responsible for working outside the home. Hence, childcare is considered the job of women: mothers, grandmothers, and even aunts.
• Finally, culture affects how family members in China communicate with each other regarding social support. Different from western cultures in which individuals are prioritized, Chinese culture prioritizes group goals over individual needs. Consequently, Chinese people are less likely to enlist the social support they need to avoid disrupting family harmony.

Tang, L., Zhu, R., & Zhang, X. (2016). Postpartum depression and social support in China: A cultural perspective. Journal of Health Communication, 21(9), 1055-1061. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2016.1204384. [Full article]