Women and Depression: A Case Study of the Influence of Feminism in Canadian Psychology

Evidence of the burden of depression for women worldwide and of the link between depression and the economic and social conditions of women’s lives provides a firm grounding for feminist-informed understandings of depression. We focus on the conjunction of women and depression as a site for assessing the influence of feminism in Canadian psychology. On the basis of our analysis of two ‘fact sheets’ - one on depression and one on postpartum depression - that appear on the website of the Canadian Psychological Association, we conclude that feminist-informed understandings of depression are almost completely absent in the accounts of depression presented to the public. We explore reasons for the resistance to such understandings through reference to psychology’s reliance on individualist conceptions and to the contemporary climate in which Canadian clinical psychology is located.

Integrating psychologists into the Canadian health care system: the example of Australia

Canada and Australia share many similarities in terms of demographics and the structure of their health systems; however, there has been a divergence in policy approaches to public funding of psychological care. Recent policy reforms in Australia have substantially increased community access to psychologists for evidence-based treatment for high prevalence disorders. In Canada, access remains limited with the vast majority of consultations occurring in the private sector, which is beyond the reach of many individuals due to cost considerations. With the recent launch of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, it is timely to reflect on the context of the current Canadian and Australian systems of psychological care. We argue that integrating psychologists into the publicly-funded primary care system in Canada would be feasible, beneficial for consumers, and cost-effective.

Emotional and Adjustment Issues Faced by Cardiac Patients Seen in Clinical Practice

PURPOSE

Many cardiac patients experience psychological difficulties after a cardiac event including anxiety, depressed mood, adjustment difficulties, and feelings of grief and loss. There is a vast literature on the psychological adjustment of cardiac patients including reports by individual practitioners into the emotional difficulties of these patients. However, no previous study has surveyed therapists collectively about their experiences working with cardiac patients. In this study, clinical practitioners were surveyed to identify specific emotional issues faced by cardiac patients and to explore potential relationships between these issues.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 psychologists and cardiac social workers who had extensive experiences with cardiac patients. Responses were collated by means of a qualitative thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Participants described the interrelationships of anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and denial that were observed in cardiac patients. Participants also identified trauma, guilt, and anger as issues of concern.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings supply a richness of detail that is often absent in quantitative studies. This detail may give cardiac rehabilitation professionals additional insight into the complexity of patients' emotional reactions and the interrelationships of these reactions. The results highlight the importance of the identification and referral of patients who present with more than transient emotional difficulties.