Title
From Infanticide to Activism: The Transformation of Emotions and Identity in Self-Help Movements
Files
Download Full Text (2.4 MB)
Description
Taylor and Leitz trace processes of collective identity construction and politicization among women suffering from postpartum psychiatric illness who have been convicted of infanticide. Joining a growing body of research suggesting that self‐help and consumer health movements can be a significant force for change in both the cultural and political arenas, Taylor and Lietz examine one such movement, a pen‐pal network of women incarcerated for committing infanticide. Taylor and Leitz show how a sense of collective identity fostered by the pen‐pal network triggered a profound emotional transformation in participants, allowing them to convert shame and loneliness into pride and solidarity, and encouraging their participation in efforts to change how the medical and legal system treat postpartum psychiatric illness.
ISBN
9780195388299
Publication Date
2010
Publisher
Oxford University Press
City
Oxford, UK
Keywords
politics, social movements, collective identity, self help, infanticide, post partum, depression, mobilization, psychiatric, mental health, health
Disciplines
Maternal and Child Health | Mental and Social Health | Other Psychology | Social Psychology
Recommended Citation
Taylor, V., & Leitz, L. "From Infanticide to Activism: The Transformation of Emotions and Identity in Self-Help Movements." In Social Movements and the Transformation of American Health Care, edited by Jane C. Banaszak-Holl, Sandra R. Levitsky, and Mayer N. Zald, 266-284. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.
Copyright
Oxford University Press
Included in
Maternal and Child Health Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Social Psychology Commons
Comments
In Jane C. Banaszak-Holl, Sandra R. Levitsky, and Mayer N. Zald (Eds.), Social Movements and the Transformation of American Health Care. Dr. Leitz's chapter begins on page 266.