Lived Experiences of Postpartum Depression and Maternal Mental Health among Postpartum Mothers in Southeast Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common maternal mental health disorders and contributes substantially to maternal morbidity and adverse child outcomes worldwide. Despite the growing recognition of maternal mental health as a public health priority, qualitative evidence exploring women's lived experiences of PPD in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria, remains limited. This study explored the lived experiences of postpartum depression and maternal mental health among postpartum mothers in Southeast Nigeria to generate context-specific evidence for improving maternal healthcare services. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in 2024 among 36 postpartum mothers attending a private Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Eligible participants were women within six months postpartum who were purposively selected based on their experiences of postpartum emotional and psychological challenges. Data were collected through four focus group discussions using a semi-structured interview guide. Each discussion lasted approximately 60 minutes and was audio-recorded with participants' informed consent. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim, anonymized, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis. The study was conducted and reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Three interconnected themes were identified. First, participants described diverse mental health challenges characterized by persistent sadness, emotional distress, anxiety, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and reluctance to disclose their symptoms because of stigma and fear of negative judgment. Second, mothers reported that depressive symptoms adversely affected the mother–infant relationship through reduced emotional attachment, diminished caregiving confidence, feelings of guilt, and perceived changes in infant behaviour. Third, women adopted multiple coping strategies, including emotional and practical support from family members, religious faith and prayer, music, peer support groups, and personal resilience to manage psychological distress. Participants also highlighted important gaps in professional mental health support within routine postpartum care. Postpartum depression substantially affects maternal psychological wellbeing, mother–infant relationships, and daily functioning among postpartum mothers in Southeast Nigeria. The findings highlight the need to integrate routine mental health screening, culturally appropriate psychosocial counselling, family-centred support interventions, and strengthened referral pathways into routine maternal and postnatal healthcare services. This study provides context-specific qualitative evidence to inform maternal mental health policy, clinical practice, and future intervention development in Nigeria.