Mums Alone: Exploring the Role of Isolation and Loneliness in the Narratives of Women Diagnosed with Perinatal Depression

Taylor, Billie Lever; Howard, Louise M.; Jackson, Katherine; Mantovani, Nadia; Nath, Selina; Sokolova, Antoaneta Y; Sweeney, Angela

doi:10.3390/jcm10112271

Cited by 20 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Consequently, we were unable to “compare and contrast” the cases presented here as we might have been able to, had the sample been more demographically diverse [ 62 ]. Characteristics such as gender identity [ 63 ], marital status, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic group [ 64 ] can compound experiences of isolation and marginalisation in pregnancy, and warrant additional focus. We recommend future researchers explore the impact of pandemic-related changes among women who experience multiple forms of marginalisation, as these communities were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 policy responses [ 65 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors affecting the mental health of pregnant women using UK maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

McKinlay

Burton

2022

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background People using maternity services in the United Kingdom (UK) have faced significant changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing regulations. We focused on the experiences of pregnant women using UK maternity services during the pandemic and the impact of social distancing rules on their mental health and wellbeing. Methods We conducted 23 qualitative semi-structured interviews from June 2020 to August 2021, with women from across the UK who experienced a pregnancy during the pandemic. Nineteen participants in the study carried their pregnancy to term and four had experienced a miscarriage during the pandemic. Interviews took place remotely over video or telephone call, discussing topics such as mental health during pregnancy and use of UK maternity services. We used reflexive thematic analysis to analyse interview transcripts. Results We generated six higher order themes: [1] Some pregnancy discomforts alleviated by social distancing measures, [2] The importance of relationships that support coping and adjustment, [3] Missed pregnancy and parenthood experiences, [4] The mental health consequences of birth partner and visitor restrictions, [5] Maternity services under pressure, and [6] Lack of connection with staff. Many participants felt a sense of loss over a pregnancy experience that differed so remarkably to what they had expected because of the pandemic. Supportive relationships were important to help cope with pregnancy and pandemic-related changes; but feelings of isolation were compounded for some participants because opportunities to build social connections through face-to-face parent groups were unavailable. Participants also described feeling alone due to restrictions on their partners being present when accessing UK maternity services. Conclusions Our findings highlight some of the changes that may have affected pregnant women’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reduced social support and being unable to have a partner or support person present during maternity service use were the greatest concerns reported by participants in this study. Absence of birth partners removed a protective buffer in times of uncertainty and distress. This suggests that the availability of a birth partner or support person must be prioritised wherever possible in times of pandemics to protect the mental health of people experiencing pregnancy and miscarriage.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors affecting the mental health of pregnant women using UK maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

McKinlay

Burton

2022

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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“…This stressor continues to affect postpartum women, and often is associated with loss of prior life patterns and contact with others, and with postpartum depression. 1 , 42 Isolated motherhood did not differ by contextual variables in this study and is concerning because of its association with women's mental health. 42 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 44%

“… 1 , 42 Isolated motherhood did not differ by contextual variables in this study and is concerning because of its association with women's mental health. 42 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 44%

“…Women face limited access to affordable quality childcare, supportive community resources, home-visiting nurses, and pay equity, while confronting an ethos of high maternal caregiving expectations. 1 , 2 , 42 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…That continuance is likely related to underlying structural factors in the United States affecting women. 1 , 2 , 42 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maternal Stressors and Coping Strategies During the Extended Postpartum Period: A Retrospective Analysis with Contemporary Implications

Walker

Murry

2022

Women's Health Reports

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Background: Despite recent emphasis on the “fourth trimester” and beyond, most knowledge of stressors affecting women is focused on the first 6 postpartum weeks. Our aim was to identify postpartum-specific stressors and coping over the extended postpartum period. Methods: We analyzed data from two surveys for a combined sample of 346 postpartum women. Principal components analysis of survey items on sources of stress was used to identify categories of postpartum-specific stressors. Content analysis was used to categorize text data on coping strategies. Results: Seven stressors were identified: Overload, Working mother concerns, Isolated motherhood, Limited supportive resources, Exhaustion, Parenting demands, and Changes in body and sexuality. Overload was the most frequent stressor ( F = 49.32, p < 0.001) and was significantly higher at 9–12 months than at 5–8 months or at 13 months or more ( F = 6.42, p = 0.002). Fulltime employment and having more than one child were associated with elevated scores on several stressors. Content analysis yielded seven coping strategies, such as Take time alone or with others, Manage emotions and thoughts, and Maintain a manageable workload. Five of the seven stressors were associated with at least one of the top five coping strategies; none was associated with Overload or Limited supportive resources. Conclusions: Women's predominant source of stress was from overload and was highest at 9 to 12 months postpartum. Community resources and public health policy and programming are needed to prepare and support women during the challenging first postpartum year.

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The relationship between social support in pregnancy and postnatal depression

Taylor

Nath

Sokolova

et al. 2022

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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Purpose Lack of social support is considered a potential risk factor for postnatal depression but limited longitudinal evidence is available. Pregnancy, when women have increased contact with healthcare services, may be an opportune time to intervene and help strengthen women’s social networks to prevent feelings of depression postnatally, particularly for those at greatest risk. Our study examined the longitudinal relationship between social support in pregnancy and postnatal depression, and whether this is moderated by age or relationship status. Methods We analysed data collected from 525 women from a diverse inner-city maternity population in England who were interviewed in pregnancy and again three months postnatally. Women provided sociodemographic information and completed self-report measures of depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and social support (Social Provisions Scale). Results Less social support in pregnancy was associated with postnatal depression, after adjusting for sociodemographic confounders and antenatal depression (Coef. = − 0.05; 95% CI − 0.10 to − 0.01; p = 0.02). There was weak evidence of a moderating effect of relationship status. Subgroup analysis showed a stronger relationship between social support in pregnancy and postnatal depression for women who were not living with a partner (Coef. = − 0.11; 95% CI − 0.21 to − 0.01; p = 0.03) than for those who were (Coef. = − 0.03; 95% CI − 0.09 to 0.02; p = 0.28). Sensitivity analysis using multiple imputations to account for missing data confirmed the main results. Conclusions Interventions that target social support in pregnancy have the potential to reduce depression postnatally. Future research should explore in greater detail which women would benefit most from which type of social support.

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Mums Alone: Exploring the Role of Isolation and Loneliness in the Narratives of Women Diagnosed with Perinatal Depression

Cited by 20 publications

References 40 publications

Factors affecting the mental health of pregnant women using UK maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

Factors affecting the mental health of pregnant women using UK maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

Maternal Stressors and Coping Strategies During the Extended Postpartum Period: A Retrospective Analysis with Contemporary Implications

The relationship between social support in pregnancy and postnatal depression

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