Social ecological approach to factors influencing perinatal mental health service provision among providers in Bulloch County, GA

ABSTRACT

Perinatal mental illness pertains to pregnancy-related mental health complications, which could last as long as one year post-delivery. Despite the high prevalence of PMI, there remains a poor accessibility and utilization of mental health services, especially in the rural America. Hence, using the Social Ecological Model (SEM), we aim to identify factors influencing perinatal mental health service provision among providers in Bulloch County, GA. Using a random sampling method, we recruited 15 mental health providers in Bulloch County through professional networks who completed open-ended surveys between January 31 and March 5 of 2021. The open-ended survey was guided by the SEM constructs, which included Individual, Interpersonal, Organizational, Community, and Policy factors. The Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software. Major barriers among providers include lack of available resources and lack of rapport among patients and providers. Major facilitator themes included increase in mental health screening, rapport building, education, and awareness. This study suggests the introduction of group therapies in public communal areas is helpful. Findings from this study will be useful in developing tailored interventions to address barriers to perinatal mental health-care utilization experienced by both women and perinatal mental health-care providers.

KEYWORDS:

• Healthcare utilization model
• mental health providers
• perinatal mental health
• perinatal mental health services
• social ecological model
• women

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contributions

JC & SN conducted the literature review for the study background. JC designed and distributed the survey. JT supervised the design of the survey and contributed to the discussion. JC also reported the methods and results section. JC & SN worked on the discussion and conclusion section. JT & BA verified the statistical analytical plan and supervised the entire methodology. JT reviewed and supervised the entire manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This research received funding from Georgia Southern University: Graduate StudentProfessional Development Fund.