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“I’ll look after the kids while you go and have a shower”: An Evaluation of a service to address mild to moderate maternal perinatal mental health problems

Mugweni, Esther, Goodliffe, S., Adams, C., Walker, M., Kendall, S. (2019) “I’ll look after the kids while you go and have a shower”: An Evaluation of a service to address mild to moderate maternal perinatal mental health problems. Journal of Mental Health, 28 (3). pp. 324-330. ISSN 0963-8237. E-ISSN 1360-0567. (doi:10.1080/09638237.2019.1581347) (KAR id:70903)

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https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2019.1581347

Abstract

Background: Perinatal mental health (PMH) problems are a major public health concern because they may impair parenting ability which potentially has an immediate and long-term impact on the physical, cognitive and emotional health of the child.

Aims: We evaluated a Perinatal Support Service (PSS) which supports positive attachment between mothers with PMH problems and their child, to evidence its impact on maternal mental health and maternal-infant interaction.

Method: Using a mixed-methods approach, anonymised pre and post service outcomes data from 123 clients, fourteen interviews and a focus group discussion were analysed.

Results: We found significant improvement in anxiety (t (55) = 6.96, p<.01, 95% CI [3.15, 5.70]), and depression (t (55) = 6.58, p <.01, 95% CI [3.03, 5.68]) on the HADS, and on the GAD -7 (t (12) = 4.541, p = .001, 95% CI [3.48,9.90]) after the PSS. Anxiety post service (M=9.08, SD = 4.96) was lower than baseline anxiety (M=15.77, SD = 4.68). Receiving emotional and practical support contributed to improvements in mental health and mother-child interaction.

Conclusion: Given the paucity of PMH services in the UK, it is imperative that services such as the PSS continue to receive funding to address unmet PMH needs.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/09638237.2019.1581347
Uncontrolled keywords: perinatal mental health, evaluation, mixed methods, voluntary sector
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Sally Kendall
Date Deposited: 10 Dec 2018 14:56 UTC
Last Modified: 28 Jul 2022 22:08 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/70903 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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