Date

5-20-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Lisa Avirett

Keywords

maternal mental health, postpartum depression (PPD), workforce reentry, work-family conflict, mental health counseling

Disciplines

Counseling

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of new mothers with postpartum depression (PPD) who reentered the workforce in Arkansas. The study aimed to discover the psychological, organizational, and social difficulties these mothers experienced during the transition from maternity leave to regular employment. Using feminist theory, attachment theory, and social constructivism as guiding frameworks, the study investigated the effects of gendered workplace structures, interrupted maternal-infant bonding, and sociocultural expectations in shaping how mothers perceived themselves and their work. A purposive sampling strategy was applied to select participants who had returned to work within one year of giving birth and had been clinically diagnosed with PPD. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which allowed participants to share their stories in detail. Data analysis followed Moustakas’s (1994) phenomenological approach, which involved identifying significant statements, grouping themes, and developing textual and structural descriptions. This research project added to the literature by shedding light on the unique challenges encountered by mothers with PPD and provided implications for workplace policy and mental health intervention. The aim was to support new mothers’ reintegration into the workforce and promote inclusive company policies and practices focused on maternal mental health.

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