Date of Conferral

11-12-2025

Date of Award

November 2025

Degree

Doctor of Human Services (D.H.S.)

School

Human Services

Advisor

Dr. Barbara Benoliel

Abstract

Abstract Postpartum depression remains a significant challenge for single mothers who face emotional, financial, and social barriers with limited support. In Palm Beach County, Florida, where many households are led by single parents, existing services are often uncoordinated and lack trauma-informed approaches that address the realities of mothers during the postpartum period. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to explore the perceptions of human services professionals regarding the trauma-informed and holistic care interventions needed to support single mothers experiencing postpartum depression. The Garbhasanskar holistic care framework, which emphasizes emotional well-being, mindfulness, and the creation of safe and empowering environments for mothers and children, underpinned the study. Data were collected through a forced-choice survey with optional open-ended sections for long answers, completed by 11 human services professionals. The analysis primarily focused on the frequency of responses from the forced-choice items and content analysis of narrative responses. The findings revealed five core needs: specialized counseling, childcare, housing stability, financial assistance, and culturally responsive care. The study’s implications for positive social change encompass the highlighting of four key strategies: providing ongoing trauma-informed training, securing sustainable funding for long-term care, fostering stronger cross-agency collaboration, and integrating culturally rooted practices. By using these strategies, stakeholders can potentially strengthen human service systems, which may lead to improved maternal mental health outcomes and promotion of family stability through trauma-informed and holistic practices.

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