Anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum.

This cross-sectional study compared the distribution of anxiety symptoms among pregnant, non-pregnant, and postpartum women of lower socioeconomic status. Participants were 807 women who were pregnant (24-36 weeks), postpartum (2-8 weeks), or not pregnant. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed by the state-trait anxiety index and the Beck depression inventory, respectively. English and Spanish versions of the instrument were available. Group differences in anxiety were evaluated using analysis of variance. Multivariate regression was performed to evaluate differences in anxiety while controlling for marital status, education, race/ethnicity, employment, cohabitation, income, parity, history of depression/anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Anxiety scores were lower among postpartum women relative to pregnant and non-pregnant women (both P < 0.001), who did not differ (P = 0.99). After controlling for depressive symptoms and patient characteristics, anxiety remained lowest among postpartum women. Additionally, history of depression/anxiety and depressive symptoms were significant predictors of anxiety in the multivariate analysis. Comparatively low anxiety and depressive symptoms were observed among women who were 2-8 weeks postpartum. Anxiety symptoms that occur postpartum may not appear until later in the postpartum period.

Reflections on self in qualitative research: stories of family.

Reflexivity is a qualitative research strategy that addresses our subjectivity as researchers related to people and events that we encounter in the field. Reflexivity also addresses the subjective nature of the research account as a narrative constructed by us as researchers. Reflexivity enhances the quality of research through its ability to extend our understanding of how our positions and interests as researchers affect all stages of the research process. The reflexive account presented here frames the analysis and interpretation of previously published findings on work and play in families by highlighting aspects of the researcher's reflexivity across the entire research process, including situating the study, gaining access, managing self, living in the field, and telling the story. Its purpose is to demonstrate use of reflexivity in qualitative research as a strategy to consider our subjectivity as researchers and serve as signposts for readers about what is happening throughout the research process.

Occupational Therapy Alone Has Looked Upon Occupation: Future Applications of Occupational Science to Pediatric Occupational Therapy.

Occupational therapy has been an invisible profession, largely because the public has had difficulty grasping the concept of occupation. The emergence of occupational science has the potential of improving this situation. Occupational science is firmly rooted in the founding ideas of occupational therapy. In the future, the nature of human occupation will be illuminated by the development of a basic theory of occupational science. Occupational science, through research and theory development, will guide the practice of occupational therapy. Applications of occupational science to the practice of pediatric occupational therapy are presented. Ultimately, occupational science will prepare pediatric occupational therapists to better meet the needs of parents and their children.

Service learning: meaningful, community-centered professional skill development for occupational therapy students.

The profession of Occupational Therapy advocates for new and emerging areas of practice that more fully embrace our moral responsibility to address significant social injustices that exist in our communities (Kronenberg, Algado, & Pollard, 2005). The service-learning pedagogy is impacted by the philosophical and theoretical influences of John Dewey, the mission and purpose of American higher education including Boyer's (1994) call for an engaged citizenry, and the social vision of occupational therapy. The pedagogy of service learning provides a natural context for students to experience community practice while contributing to reducing existing social injustices. This paper provides an overview of service learning (SL) as a philosophical and pedagogical approach in occupational therapy education, key processes in developing successful service learning experiences and community partnerships to support service learning. Characteristics of effective service learning, assessment of community and institutional outcomes of service learning and the scholarship of service learning are also discussed. Most importantly, strategies for developing service learning scholarship, an important but frequently neglected requisite to validate any educational practice, are delineated. The authors conclude that service learning provides educators with an opportunity to provide students with experiences in natural, community contexts while developing life-long commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility.

Anxiety disorders during pregnancy and postpartum.

Approximately 30% of women experience some type of anxiety disorder during their lifetime. Women with these disorders may experience profound changes in their symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period. In addition, some evidence exists that anxiety disorders can affect pregnancy outcomes. It is important that physicians understand the course of these disorders during pregnancy and available treatments so they can appropriately counsel women who are or intend to become pregnant. This article reviews the literature on the course of anxiety disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period and presents guidelines for management.