A Qualitative Study of Health Professionals Involved in the Care and Treatment of Women with Postnatal Emotional Distress

Abstract

This project sought to gain insight into the experiences, beliefs, attitudes and personal views of postnatal emotional distress, from the perspective of the health professional. A qualitative study involved focus groups with health professionals engaged in the care and treatment of women with a postnatal mood disorder. Broad themes explored included women's recognition of symptoms, barriers to help-seeking, models of postnatal depression, detection and management, and treatment experiences and options. Health professionals identified seven key theme clusters: Coping and failure, Expectations of motherhood, Partners, Treatment experiences, Screening and identification, Framing the issue of perinatal emotional distress, Assistance for health professionals. Professionals view postnatal emotional distress as a response to social and personal pressures and an expression of the tension between becoming a mother and maintaining social standing. There is a significant need for better education to ensure that postnatal adjustment difficulties are destigmatised and not seen as a failure of motherhood. Reframing postnatal depression/distress may make it easier for women to identify and acknowledge their own mood changes. Further training would help professionals pick up the nuances of postnatal depressive symptoms or identify women who might be trying to ‘minimise’ their symptoms.

Keywords:

• postnatal depression
• health professional
• beliefs and attitudes
• qualitative