Dataset Information

Exploring women's experiences of identifying, negotiating and managing perinatal anxiety: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Anxiety affects around 15% of women during the perinatal period and can adversely impact both mother and child, with potential implications for long-term health; few studies have examined women's experiences of perinatal anxiety (PNA). In the context of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence prioritising PNA, this study aimed to explore women's experiences of the identification and management of PNA and their engagement with healthcare professionals.

Design

Qualitative study with semi-structured interviews and applying thematic analysis.

Setting

Recruitment materials were shared widely through maternal support groups, children's centres, libraries, National Health Service (NHS) providers (primary and secondary care) operating in the West Midlands or North West of England and through social media.

Participants

Seventeen women (aged 25-42 years) with self-reported anxiety during pregnancy and/or up to 12 months postpartum. Interviews digitally recorded and transcribed with consent.

Results

Three main themes and corresponding sub-themes are described around a central concept of PNA as an individualised experience: barriers to disclosing PNA; help-seeking for PNA and establishing and engaging support networks. Disclosing, help-seeking and accessing systems of support were interconnected and contextualised by individualised experiences of PNA and pervaded by stigma.

Conclusions

This research provides new insights into PNA and calls for awareness to be improved to achieve parity alongside depression and avoid missed opportunities in the provision of care for women and families. Future research should seek to develop novel PNA-specific interventions aimed at prevention, management and/or combatting stigma to support more women to disclose mental health concerns and seek help early.

SUBMITTER: Oh S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7780520 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Exploring women's experiences of identifying, negotiating and managing perinatal anxiety: a qualitative study.

Oh Soo S Chew-Graham Carolyn A CA Silverwood Victoria V Shaheen Sirah Aksa SA Walsh-House Jacqualyn J Sumathipala Athula A Kingstone Tom T

BMJ open 20201230 12

<h4>Objectives</h4>Anxiety affects around 15% of women during the perinatal period and can adversely impact both mother and child, with potential implications for long-term health; few studies have examined women's experiences of perinatal anxiety (PNA). In the context of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence prioritising PNA, this study aimed to explore women's experiences of the identification and management of PNA and their engagement with healthcare professionals.<h4>Design</ ...[more]

PMID: 33380483

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Dataset Information

Exploring women's experiences of identifying, negotiating and managing perinatal anxiety: a qualitative study.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Exploring women's experiences of identifying, negotiating and managing perinatal anxiety: a qualitative study.

Similar Datasets

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