Date of Graduation

Summer 8-17-2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

Abstract

The present study aimed to provide a better understanding of factors contributing to depressive symptomatology of mothers working in the Information Technology field (IT field) and to understand variation in postpartum depressive symptomatology within this group based on immigration status and personal and professional social supports. The sample consisted of 56 participants including immigrant (n = 30) and non-immigrant (n = 26) mothers currently employed in the IT field, who had a baby in the last 12 months. Participants were recruited over the course of five months to participate in this non-experimental, cross-sectional quantitative study. A survey link using the online data collection software, Qualtrics, was posted on various online social networking platforms (e.g., Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook), email listservs, and distributed by snowball recruitment. Bivariate correlations, linear and hierarchical regressions were conducted to explore the relationship between depressive symptomatology and immigration status, acculturation, social support, professional support, and family supportive work environments. Results demonstrated a statistically significant negative relationship between severity of depressive symptoms and support from one’s personal networks (i.e., significant other, friends and family), where higher perceived support yielded lower postpartum depression scores. Additionally, postpartum depressive symptomatology was significantly higher in immigrant mothers compared to non-immigrant participants in the study. Further, postpartum depressive symptoms and supervisor support were negatively correlated. These findings may offer direction for healthcare providers, companies and employees in order to provide working environments that are overall supportive of working mothers.

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