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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Mood Disorders | Research article

Supporting women who develop poor postnatal mental health: what support do fathers receive to support their partner and their own mental health?

Authors: Andrew Mayers, Sarah Hambidge, Olivia Bryant, Emily Arden-Close

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Research regarding support provided for poor maternal postnatal mental health (such as depression, anxiety disorders, and postpartum psychosis) is relatively common. Fathers appear to play an important role supporting partners but many feel alienated within maternity services. Research focusing on fathers is less common.

Methods

The current qualitative study aimed to investigate fathers’ experience of support provided to fathers, to help support their partner should she experience poor postnatal mental health.

Results

Twenty-five fathers participated in an online questionnaire regarding their experience of their partner’s poor postnatal mental health and the support provided to fathers to help her. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes and seven sub-themes. The themes were: ‘Support received to help support their partner’, ‘Support fathers wanted that was not received’ and ‘Father’s mental health’. The results highlight an overall lack of support for many fathers, despite many wanting support on how to help their partner, information on their own mental health and the services available. Fathers specifically wanted healthcare professionals to sign-post them to someone they can talk to for emotional support, and to be taught coping strategies which would help them to support both their partner and baby.

Conclusions

The findings from this study suggest that health professionals and perinatal mental health services need a better understanding about what resources fathers need to support the mental health of themselves and their partner.

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Title: Supporting women who develop poor postnatal mental health: what support do fathers receive to support their partner and their own mental health?
Authors: Andrew Mayers
Sarah Hambidge
Olivia Bryant
Emily Arden-Close
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03043-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Supporting women who develop poor postnatal mental health: what support do fathers receive to support their partner and their own mental health?

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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