Postpartum Depression: What Happened to My Wife?

Dear Colleagues,

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex and often underestimated condition that impacts not only mothers but also their partners and intimate relationships. This Special Issue aims to explore the multidimensional consequences of PPD—on maternal mental health, on the partner's emotional well-being, and on the dynamics of the couple.

The title, “What Happened to My Wife?”, highlights the frequently overlooked perspective of partners while inviting broader reflections on how PPD reshapes identities, emotional connections, and family systems. Particular attention will be given to the impact on conjugal relationships and to the interplay between individual and relational suffering.

We welcome interdisciplinary contributions that examine the psychological, relational, and systemic aspects of postpartum depression—including clinical studies, qualitative research, and theoretical or conceptual papers. By encouraging diverse methodological and disciplinary approaches, this Special Issue seeks to foster a more comprehensive understanding of postpartum depression and to inform more inclusive and responsive practices in mental health care.

Dr. Sara Albuquerque
Dr. Ana Filipa Beato
Dr. Stephanie Alves
Guest Editors

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