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Archives of Women's Mental Health

Open Access 05-03-2025 | Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | Original Article

Screening instruments for antenatal and postpartum mental health disorders in migrant women: a systematic review

Authors: A. E. H. Verschuuren, E. Soldati, J. Stekelenburg, E. I. Feijen-de Jong, I. R. Postma

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health

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Abstract

Purpose

Maternal mental health disorders are prevalent among migrant women. Due to the association of these disorders with adverse pregnancy outcomes, early recognition, and referral are important. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature on mental health screening for migrant women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, covering publications before July 15th, 2024. Database searches were supplemented by a grey literature search, which included a systematic Google and Google Scholar search, hand searching of reference lists, and citation searches. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies published in any language were included if they evaluated or validated screening methods for maternal mental health disorders in first-generation migrants. Screening for eligibility, data extraction, and quality appraisal were conducted by two independent researchers. Results were summarized narratively.

Results

Among the 3035 records screened, 30 articles met the inclusion criteria. Our findings indicate that health care providers and migrant women recognize a substantial need for maternal mental health screening, especially for depression, and in a lesser quantity for anxiety and PTSD. We describe a range of barriers and facilitators that impact the quality and feasibility of mental health screening. Research on available screening instruments in migrant populations reports reasonable accuracy, reliability, and validity. However, qualitative evaluations question the screening instruments' cultural appropriateness and translatability.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need for the development and implementation of maternal mental health screening programs tailored to pregnant or postpartum migrants. Further research is essential to enhance the effectiveness and cultural sensitivity of these screening programs.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
For this review, the term migrant will be used as an umbrella term, covering migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, while it is recognized that these groups experience distinct challenges and may have different health needs. For an explanation of the definitions of asylum seeker, refugee, and migrant see box 1 in the methods section. In the results section, we adhered to the terminology used in the included studies as much as possible.
 
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Metadata
Title
Screening instruments for antenatal and postpartum mental health disorders in migrant women: a systematic review
Authors
A. E. H. Verschuuren
E. Soldati
J. Stekelenburg
E. I. Feijen-de Jong
I. R. Postma
Publication date
05-03-2025
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/s00737-024-01552-z