Breastfeeding experiences and perspectives among women with postnatal depression: A qualitative evidence synthesis

BackgroundStudies show that postnatal depression affects around 10–16% of women globally. It is associated with earlier cessation of breast feeding, which can negatively impact infants’ long-term development. Mechanisms underpinning associations between mental health and women’s decision to commence and continue to breastfeed are complex and poorly understood.AimThe aim of this review was to investigate breastfeeding experiences, perspectives, and support needs of women with postnatal depression. No previous reviews were identified which had addressed this aim.MethodA systematic search was conducted of six databases to identify relevant qualitative studies. Six included studies were critically appraised and synthesised using thematic synthesis.FindingsFive themes were identified: (1) desire to breastfeed and be a ‘good mother’, (2) struggles with breastfeeding, (3) mixed experiences of support from healthcare professionals, (4) importance of practical and social support, (5) support for mental health and breastfeeding. Most women with postnatal depression expressed strong intentions to breastfeed, although some perceived ‘failure’ to breastfeed triggered their mental health problems. Practical and non-judgemental support for their mental health needs and for successful breastfeeding from healthcare professionals, family and friends are needed.ConclusionMost women with postnatal depression desired to breastfeed but experienced breastfeeding difficulties that could impact on their mental health. By offering women with postnatal depression tailored and timely support, healthcare professionals could help women minimize breastfeeding problems which could consequently impact on their mental well-being and ensure they and their infants have opportunity to benefit from the advantages that breastfeeding offers.     

Social work and pastoral counseling: Empowering each other

ABSTRACT

This article addresses the divergent outcomes which can result from counseling services offered pastorally versus clinically. As faith leaders often have greater direct access than social workers to supporting religious populations, it is important to explore the intersection between religious pastoral support and clinical social work. Presenting six scenarios from the author’s own experiences as both a rabbi and social worker, this article processes each scenario first through the pastoral lens of an Orthodox rabbi, followed by the clinical lens of a social worker or other mental health professional. The client outcomes which are produced from each modality are radically different. This contrast demonstrates the distinction between the goals, values, and training of each profession, and highlights importance for future work to be done in linking religious and pastoral training to mental health services, as well as broadening the scope of cultural competence for social workers and therapists who may engage with tight-knit religious populations.     

Training needs of extension agents’ regarding organic agriculture in Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the needs of extension agents for training on organic agriculture (OA) in the Riyadh Region. Fifty-five percent (n = 69) of extension agents were selected to collect data through an electronic survey. Results indicated that extension agents in the Riyadh Region cited on job training as a main source for acquiring knowledge in OA. Agents expressed interest in receiving training in OA in general, OA marketing, and transitioning to OA. The most useful resources were field days at organic farms, OA training sessions at colleges, and attending OA trial plots. There were no differences in the level of interest in training; however, there were significant differences between individuals in terms of their experience in OA, job responsibility for providing information related to OA, and area of specialization in their job. This study recommends developing professional training programs based on the current knowledge of extension agents.     

内蒙古非物质文化遗产的精神内蕴论析

内蒙古历史源远流长、各民族聚集共处、民族文化多元一体,铸就了非物质文化遗产突出的历史和人文价值,也充实了其丰富的精神内涵。具体而言,包括开放包容的文化品质、顽强拼搏的进取意识、万物共生的价值观念、团结统一的理想追求。     

《孟子》思想及其现代价值新论

《孟子》作为传承儒家思想的载体,在变化的社会形势下阐发了仁义礼智信耻等观念,并在社会政治、经济、伦理道德等方面形成了新的理解,由此丰富了儒家思想体系,从而在中华民族思想史上占有重要地位。几千年来,《孟子》思想作为儒家思想的重要组成部分及传统文化的主流话语之一,其所彰显的价值与意义,指导着传统社会的人生建设,对中华民族的绵延发展起到了凝聚和推动作用。重视并汲取《孟子》思想的精华,使之焕发出新的生机与活力,对于现代人类的生存需求以及中华民族共有精神家园的构建必将产生积极的影响。     

现代新儒家与中华民族精神内涵

现代新儒家对中华民族精神内涵的认识是不尽相同的,但中华民族精神蕴含在中华儒家文化之中是其理论共识。儒家的＂和谐＂与＂理性＂、＂内圣外王＂之道、人文精神、＂极高明而道中庸＂及＂心性之学＂等,都是中华民族精神固有的内涵。现代新儒家致力于从儒家文化视角来解读中华民族精神,是有失公正性的,不加分析地全盘肯定儒家文化及其蕴含的民族精神,也是不符合历史辩证法的。现代新儒家力图从深层的精神内核来认识儒家文化和中华民族精神,是中华民族自我认识过程的深化和发展,也是继续研究中华民族精神不可或缺的重要文化资源。     

论我国经济增长方式转变的精神文化特性

我国经济增长方式的转变,其实质是生产力内在构成要素的转换,其中精神文化因素逐渐成为生产力发展的主导性要素,经济发展从客体性经济转向主体性经济。其本质内涵可以从三个层面加以理解:从传统的物质生产方式向现代性的物质生产方式转换,具有现代经济的精神文化特性,主体的精神文化因素在经济发展中发挥着越来越重要的作用;本质上是一种从"直接劳动"向"科学劳动"的转变,具有鲜明的现代科学文化精神;发掘人的智能,以精神性的资源逐步替代物质性的资源,并以此为基础实现从工业经济向知识经济的转型。     

中国传统生命伦理观与生态文明的精神内涵

当代环境问题和生态问题的凸显,使人们对传统的生命伦理观越来越关注,也对生态文明的精神内涵赋予了多样化的解读。中国传统文化向来重视生命的价值,它以贵生的精神看待生命,以仁爱的精神关注生命,并以平等的精神对待宇宙间各个生命的价值,重视对人与自然和谐关系的构建。进一步弘扬中华传统文化中的生命伦理精神,探索其与生态文明精神内涵的本质联系,对和谐社会的建设具有重要意义。     

论中日茶道文化的意境与精神气质

中日茶道文化是东方文化中的两朵奇葩,但是由于诸多原因,中日茶道文化在意境和精神气质上有着较大区别:中国的茶道仪式自然随和,圆润融通,日本的茶道仪式则过于拘于程序和礼节;中国将饮茶发展为日常生活艺术,日本则将饮茶变为俨然清规;中国茶文化是雅俗共赏的大众文化,日本茶文化则是高高在上的仪式文化。     

Strategies for fostering basic psychological needs support in high quality youth leadership programs

Youth leadership programming has become an increasingly common context to foster basic psychological needs and promote youth development. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore strategies involved in fostering youth needs support within six leadership programs. Two leaders and 30 youth participated in semi-structured interviews to better understand the strategies used to foster needs support. Findings revealed that leaders were able to foster a sense of relatedness among youth through building trusting adult-youth relationships and nurturing an inclusive environment. Maximizing choice and negotiating youth voice helped to foster youth’s autonomy. Finally, creating a task-oriented climate and providing intentional opportunities for skill-building helped to foster youth’s competence. Findings suggest that training for leaders is critical in understanding what, and how strategies should be employed to help foster youth needs support in leadership programming. Limitations and future directions are outlined.