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Open Access 01-04-2024 | Mood Disorders | Review Article

Digital screening for mental health in pregnancy and postpartum: A systematic review

Authors: Jocelyn R. Clarke, Melanie Gibson, Melissa Savaglio, Rhea Navani, Mariam Mousa, Jacqueline A. Boyle

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health

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Abstract

Purpose

This systematic review aimed to determine if digital screening for mental health in pregnancy and postpartum is acceptable, feasible and more effective than standard care (paper-and pen-based screening or no screening). The second aim was to identify barriers and enablers to implementing digital screening in pregnancy and postpartum.

Method

OVID MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Joanna Briggs Database and All EMB reviews incorporating Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (OVID) were systematically searched for articles that evaluated digital screening for mental health in pregnancy and postpartum between 2000 and 2021. Qualitative articles were deductively mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Results

A total of 34 articles were included in the analysis, including qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies. Digital screening was deemed acceptable, feasible and effective. TDF domains for common barriers included environmental context and resources, skills, social/professional role and identity and beliefs about consequences. TDF domains for common enablers included knowledge, social influences, emotion and behavioural regulation.

Conclusion

When planning to implement digital screening, consideration should be made to have adequate training, education and manageable workload for healthcare professionals (HCP’s). Organisational resources and support are important, as well as the choice of the appropriate digital screening assessment and application setting for women. Theory-informed recommendations are provided for both healthcare professionals and women to inform future clinical practice.
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Metadata
Title
Digital screening for mental health in pregnancy and postpartum: A systematic review
Authors
Jocelyn R. Clarke
Melanie Gibson
Melissa Savaglio
Rhea Navani
Mariam Mousa
Jacqueline A. Boyle
Publication date
01-04-2024
Publisher
Springer Vienna
Published in
Archives of Women's Mental Health
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-024-01427-3