Peer support workers’ experiences of supporting women with postnatal depression: a constant comparative exploration

Carter, Ruth; Cust, Fiona; Boath, Elizabeth

doi:10.1080/02646838.2017.1416336

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…These findings are consistent with the mixed nature of research on peer support in the perinatal period. When well-trained, resourced and supervised, peer supporters can be an accessible and effective workforce [ 18 ], but fail to effectively support mothers without these forms of oversight in place [ 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite this, however, the evidence-base on where peer supporters may most effectively fit within perinatal mental health service delivery remains unclear. Most of the research on peer support during the perinatal period has focussed on evaluating specific, formal interventions provided directly by peers, and the efficacy of these interventions has been mixed [ 16 – 20 ]. In contrast, there has been little research examining the other adjunctive or informal functions of peer support which are often widely available through charities, non-profit and non-governmental organisations, despite the fact that a recent review outside the perinatal period has found that these latter functions may offer greater clinical benefit [ 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A qualitative study of the impact of peer support on women’s mental health treatment experiences during the perinatal period

Rice

Ingram

O’Mahen

2022

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background Perinatal mental health problems are prevalent, affecting up to 20% of women However, only 17–25% receive formal support during the perinatal period. In this qualitative study, we sought to examine women’s experiences with peer support for mental health problems during the perinatal period. Methods Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with twenty-five mothers from the UK who had utilised peer support for a perinatal mental health problem. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results Seven major themes were identified in women’s help seeking process and experience of peer support. These included; perinatal specific precipitating factors that contributed to their mental health problems, barriers in the form of unhelpful professional responses, feelings of isolation, acceptance of the problem and need to actively re-seek support, finding support either through luck or peer assistance. Conclusion Peer support showed promise as an effective means to reduce perinatal mental health difficulties; either as a form of formal support or as an adjunct to formal support. The results highlight ways to improve perinatal women’s access to mental health support through peer-based mechanisms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative study of the impact of peer support on women’s mental health treatment experiences during the perinatal period

Rice

Ingram

O’Mahen

2022

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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“…As a form of social support, it is often conceptualised as comprising emotional, appraisal (affirmational), and informational support (Dennis 2003). Different forms of organised peer support have previously been found to be effective in preventing and/or reducing PND among high-risk women and assisting recovery in women who have PND (McLeish and Redshaw, 2017a,b;Cust 2016a;Carter et al, 2018), for example, group peer support (Jones et al, 2014); telephone support (Dennis et al, 2009;Letourneau and Secco, 2015); and individual peer support (Cust, 2016a). This study uses a model of individualised peer support.…”

Section: The Proposed Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of a peer support intervention for antenatal depression: a feasibility study

Carter

Cust

Boath

2019

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology

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ObjectiveA feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial to assess the acceptability, recruitment, feasibility and effectiveness of a peer support intervention for women with antenatal depression. The key premise of peer support is based upon the trust and empathetic understanding engendered by common experiences. MethodTwenty pregnant women were recruited by their community midwife using the Whooley questionnaire (Howard et al 2018) at between 28-30 weeks' gestation to ascertain their level of mood and general mental health. Women identified as having potential antenatal depression were randomly assigned into a control group (routine care alone which includes contact with a midwife and in some case an obstetric Doctor with access to a GP if required) or intervention group (6-weekly visits from a peer support worker in addition to routine care). Participants from both the control and intervention group, and the Peer Support Workers (PSWs) were then interviewed at the end of the sixweek period. All participants, and the PSW's, were also asked to keep log books during the trial to record their feelings and experiences. The results were then analysed using thematic analysis. ResultsThe analysis of qualitative data from the PSWs, and the participants in the intervention group, suggest the peer support intervention is acceptable, helpful and supportive to both pregnant women and, indeed, the PSWs. The women within the intervention group valued the peer support highly, reporting that being able to speak openly to a PSW meant that feelings of alienation, abnormality, isolation and stigma were replaced with social support, confidence, self-esteem and hope for recovery. The PSWs reported a positive impact upon their own wellbeing and a realisation that they had, indeed, moved forward with their lives. A proportion of the women randomised to the control group described feelings of disappointment and frustration with the lack of support currently available to them. ConclusionThis feasibility study suggests a full randomised controlled trial (RCT) is warranted given the high recruitment, adherence, and acceptability of the intervention to participants.

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“…Both groups of women also expressed a desire to regain control of their lives. Cultural differences and health care are influenced by the meaning that women are assigned according to their experiences and their behavior in seeking help (Carter, Cust, & Boath, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Communication experiences of women surviving postpartum depression in Indonesia

Utamidewi,

Tayo,

Satya Putra

et al. 2023

JKP

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The presence of a baby in the family becomes a happy event, but it turns out that the feeling of happiness is not immediately felt by the mother who gave birth. Improper information regarding postnatal mental health makes childbirth a sad thing for a mother. This study aims to construct experiences, feelings, and meanings regarding Postpartum Depression. So that by knowing the experiences, feelings, and meanings about Postpartum Depression, information about the condition of women after giving birth can be better. This study uses a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach. This study was conducted on 8 women who experienced Postpartum Depression after giving birth to their first child or second child. Data was collected by means of unstructured interviews with open-ended questions. This research is useful for seekers of information about Postpartum Depression where they will know how to avoid being exposed to Postpartum Depression.

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Peer support workers’ experiences of supporting women with postnatal depression: a constant comparative exploration

Abstract: Findings indicate that PSWs choose to offer support based upon their own experiences, rejecting formal counselling therapies. This study found that peer-designed interventions do appear to have some merit.

Cited by 7 publications

References 10 publications

A qualitative study of the impact of peer support on women’s mental health treatment experiences during the perinatal period

A qualitative study of the impact of peer support on women’s mental health treatment experiences during the perinatal period

Effectiveness of a peer support intervention for antenatal depression: a feasibility study

Communication experiences of women surviving postpartum depression in Indonesia

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