Experiences of parent-infant teams among mothers diagnosed with perinatal mental health difficulties

ABSTRACT

Background

Disrupted parent-infant bonds can have a negative impact on childhood development. In the United Kingdom, parent-infant teams can offer support to parents (most commonly mothers) to help strengthen parent-infant relationships. However, little is known about women’s experiences of these teams. This study aimed to explore experiences of support from parent-infant teams among mothers diagnosed with perinatal mental health difficulties.

Method

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven mothers who had had been referred to and/or accessed a National Health Service parent-infant team. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Women reported occasional difficulties accessing parent-infant services, particularly when they were left to contact services/follow up referrals themselves. However, once accessed mothers valued consistent, regular support with a therapist who was empathic and accepting of their difficult feelings. Some women saw therapists as resembling ‘mother figures’ and appreciated a feeling of being cared for. However, at times women felt there was an overemphasis on the role of the mother and mother-infant bond, and a disregard of fathers and other family members.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that mothers value support from parent-infant teams. However, clinicians need to ensure they do not inadvertently reinforce problematic gender norms and narratives when offering support. 

KEYWORDS:

• Parental bond
• postnatal care
• perinatal mental health
• parent infant teams
• qualitative

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This article summarises independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its PGfAR Programme (Grant Reference Number RP-PG-1210-12002). The views expressed arethose of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. S.J. is supported by the NIHR Mental Health Research Policy Unit, the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) North Thames, and the UCLH Biomedical Research Centre.