Midwives’ emotional wellbeing: Impact of conducting a Structured Antenatal Psychosocial Assessment (SAPSA)

Mollart, Lyndall; Newing, Carol; Foureur, Maralyn

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2009.02.001

Cited by 43 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Previous research has highlighted the importance of adequate training and resources, structured referral pathways for women and supportive systems for staff in supporting the successful implementation of psychosocial assessment programs [50-55], particularly when assessing women with complex psychosocial presentations, including the presence of domestic violence [54]. In addition, it has been suggested that the increasing focus on perinatal depression may result in neglect of other aspects of psychosocial wellbeing in the perinatal period [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in reported psychosocial assessment across public and private maternity settings: a national survey of women in Australia

Reilly,

Harris,

Loxton

et al. 2013

BMC Public Health

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BackgroundPsychosocial assessment and depression screening is now recommended for all women who are pregnant or have recently given birth in Australia. Existing studies which have examined the extent of participation by women in such population-based programs have been primarily concerned with depression screening rather than a more comprehensive examination of psychosocial assessment, and have not been sufficiently inclusive of the 30% of women whose maternity care is provided in the private sector. Whether there are disparities in equity of access to perinatal psychosocial assessment is also unknown.MethodsA sub-sample of women (N = 1804) drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health participated in the study. Overall rates of assessment across five psychosocial domains (current emotional health; mental health history; current level of support; current drug or alcohol use; experience of domestic violence or abuse), as well as receipt of mental health promotion information, were examined. Log binomial regression was performed to investigate whether there were socio-demographic or health system inequalities among women who are and are not assessed across each domain.ResultsTwo-thirds of women (66.8%) reported being asked about their current emotional health in the antenatal period, increasing to 75.6% of women in the postnatal period. Rates decreased markedly for reported assessment of mental health history (52.9% during pregnancy and 41.2% postnatally). Women were least likely to be asked about their experience of domestic violence or abuse in both the antenatal and postnatal periods (in total, 35.7% and 31.8%, respectively).In terms of equity of access to psychosocial assessment, women who gave birth in the public hospital sector were more likely to report being assessed across all domains of assessment in the antenatal period, compared with women who gave birth in the private sector, after adjusting for other significant covariates. State of residence was associated with reported rates of assessment across all domains in both the antenatal and postnatal periods. Women from non-English speaking backgrounds and women with more than one child were less likely to be assessed across various domains.ConclusionThis study provides an important insight into the reported overall penetration of and access to perinatal psychosocial assessment among a sample of women in Australia. Opportunities to minimise the current shortfall in assessment rates, particularly in the private sector, and for ongoing monitoring of assessment activity at a national level are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in reported psychosocial assessment across public and private maternity settings: a national survey of women in Australia

Reilly,

Harris,

Loxton

et al. 2013

BMC Public Health

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“…The passion for midwifery, joy of childbirth and the ability to make a difference to the lives of women and families has been described as what sustains midwives in many studies internationally (Collins et al, 2010;Drury et al, 2014;Edmondson and Walker, 2014;Engel, 2000;Mollart et al, 2009;Rouleau et al, 2012;Sandall, 1997;Sullivan et al, 2011). Midwives in many settings describe a real pride in the midwifery profession and derive great job satisfaction from their practice.…”

Section: Love Passion and Joy For Midwiferymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability and resilience in midwifery: A discussion paper

et al. 2016

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“…The standard of midwifery care dictates giving priority to the delivery of high‐quality services in all situations, including those that are complex and difficult 4 . However, as “an instrument of care,” 9,12 midwives may face challenging work situations that can become a potential health hazard and lead to stress‐related disease, in particular to occupational stress known as burnout syndrome 1,5,9,10,12–14 . The objectives of this study were to explore situations that midwives consider to be extremely stressful, to identify the competencies used by midwives in hospital‐based practice when coping with stressful situations, and to identify interventions that midwives recommend be used when stressful events occur.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Midwives share the experiences of other hospital nurses who are exposed to a myriad of work stressors. A large number of midwives are working longer hours, which can result not only in physical but also in emotional exhaustion 10,14 . Role ambiguity and the physical and social environment have been noted as work‐related stressors that also can result in emotional exhaustion for nurses 15,16 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Often the event is unpredictable and sudden, causing the midwives to experience a lack of control. Their acute emotional response to the event may permeate their personal lives as well as influence their professional outlook and self‐perception for days and even years later 14,15 . In an effort to process such events, it is typical for midwives to contemplate the boundaries of their responsibilities, their professionalism, and their place among colleagues and other health care professionals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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