Ying LAU
Abstract
Recent awareness of postnatal depression (PND) as a significant health issue has demanded greater attention from all medical personnel. It affects 10 -15% of mothers at three months postpartum and has major consequences for the mothers, their families and children. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) with group approach was selected because it is a time-limited, cost-effective, efficacious and interpersonally oriented therapy that focuses on specific problem areas relevant to pregnancy and childbirth and through which, people learn about themselves and improve their interpersonal relationships. This paper discusses on how to set up an interpersonal group therapy among the Chinese postnatal women. The phenomena of postnatal depression and the main Chinese perspective concepts of interpersonal relationship in Hong Kong population are explored. The important components in an interpersonal therapy and significance of interpersonal group therapy program for the target population are elaborated. The detail elements to establish an interpersonal group therapy program for the Hong Kong Chinese population are also discussed.
Key words: Hong Kong, interpersonal group therapy, postnatal depression