Supporting perinatal anxiety in the digital age; a qualitative exploration of stressors and support strategies
Supporting perinatal anxiety in the digital age; a qualitative exploration of stressors and support strategies
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DOI：
10.1186/s12884-020-02990-0
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发表时间：
2020-06-17
影响因子：
3.1
通讯作者：
Lazard, Lisa
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Harrison, Virginia;Moore, Donna;Lazard, Lisa
分娩前后的时期是一个深刻的变化，这往往可以体验到压力和压倒性的。事实上，大约20%的妇女在围产期可能会经历严重的焦虑。然而，大多数患有围产期焦虑症（PNA）的妇女未被识别和治疗。互联网提供了一个潜在的可扩展的解决方案，以改善获得支持的机会，但在这一领域的研究缺乏意味着需要工作，以更好地了解妇女的经验，PNA，以便可以确定潜在的干预目标和可能的障碍，以克服支持。本研究的目的是定性探讨妇女的焦虑触发和支持在围产期的经验，并深入了解什么样的在线支持是可以接受的妇女与PNA。方法孕妇或产后一年内的妇女被邀请参加英国各地的焦点小组。利用焦点小组听取各种观点，同时促进确定重要的支助需求和解决办法并确定其优先次序。对访谈进行了转录和专题分析。结果五个关键主题出现在与PNA妇女的经验：举行不切实际的期望出生和母亲;耻辱;同伴支持的重要性;不确定性和产妇信心差;和缺乏心理健康的支持和知识。围产期妇女感到得不到足够的支持，为做母亲做的准备不足。她们的期望和现实经历之间的不匹配，以及成为“完美妈妈”的压力是她们焦虑的主要来源。此外，与PNA相关的耻辱感可能加剧了这些问题，并导致寻求帮助的回避。总的来说，妇女认为这些问题可以通过在线支持来解决，通过提供更现实的信息，提供有关PNA症状和管理的心理教育，并包括真实的同伴经历。因此，在线提供基于证据的信息和干预措施可能会提供一个解决方案，这是可以接受的队列。结论这项工作提供了独特的见解，为妇女在围产期焦虑的潜在来源，同时也提供了潜在的基于互联网的支持解决方案，可能是可以接受的，并为妇女与PNA的帮助。
Background The period surrounding childbirth is one of profound change, which can often be experienced as stressful and overwhelming. Indeed, around 20% of women may experience significant levels of anxiety in the perinatal period. However, most women experiencing perinatal anxiety (PNA) go unrecognised and untreated. The Internet offers a potentially scalable solution to improve access to support, however a dearth of research in this area means that work is needed to better understand women's experience of PNA, so that potential targets for intervention can be identified and possible barriers to support overcome. This study aimed to qualitatively explore women's experience of anxiety triggers and support in the perinatal period; and gain insight into what online support is acceptable for women with PNA. Methods Women who were either pregnant or within one-year postpartum were invited to participate in focus groups across the UK. Focus groups were used to allow a diversity of perspectives to be heard, while simultaneously promoting the identification and prioritisation of important support needs and solutions. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. Results Five key themes emerged in relation to women's experience with PNA: holding unrealistic expectations of birth and motherhood; stigma; the importance of peer support; uncertainty and poor maternal confidence; and a lack of mental health support and knowledge. Perinatal women felt under-supported and poorly prepared for motherhood. A mismatch between their expectations and the reality of their experience, alongside a pressure to be the 'perfect mum' was the primary source of their anxiety. Furthermore, stigma associated with PNA may have exacerbated these issues and led to help-seeking avoidance. Overall, women felt these issues could be addressed via online support, through the delivery of more realistic information, providing psychoeducation about PNA symptoms and management, and the inclusion of authentic peer experiences. Thus, delivering evidence-based information and interventions online may provide a solution that is acceptable to this cohort. Conclusions This work provides unique insight into potential sources of anxiety for women in the perinatal period, while also offering potential internet-based support solutions that are likely to be acceptable and helpful for women with PNA.