Social support, depression, and anxiety in the perinatal period: a mixed methods study
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2024
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𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀: The perinatal period is a time of vulnerability for women and between 10 - 20% of them experience some type of mental health concern, most commonly depression or anxiety. The social support offered to women in the perinatal period can buffer against mental health concerns and promote well-being. This mixed-methods research investigated the effects of structural and functional support on depression and anxiety in women in the perinatal period and explored their experiences of support during this time.
𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱: This study involved perinatal women living in Australia and had an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, divided into two phases. The first phase was a cross-sectional study, where 443 participants responded to an online survey with their sociodemographic data, the Perinatal Infant Care Social Support Scale, the Edinburgh Depression Scale, and a shorter version of the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were analysed using descriptive, correlational, and multiple logistic regression analyses. For phase two, 16 women were interviewed via Zoom, and interviews were analysed thematically.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Receiving informational support from mothers significantly reduced the odds of depression and anxiety during the perinatal period. Similarly, emotional support from both mothers and friends who were mothers also lowered the odds of experiencing perinatal depression. Appraisal support from mothers-in-law demonstrated similar protective effects against depression and anxiety perinatally. Among pregnant women, receiving support from mothers, particularly in the form of informational and emotional support significantly reduced the likelihood of depression. Appraisal support from mothers-in-law also offered protection for depression. Emotional and appraisal support from partners significantly reduced anxiety during pregnancy. Additionally, informational support from midwives played a similar protective role against anxiety for pregnant women. Friends who were mothers emerged as a crucial source of protective support, with three support types – informational, emotional, and appraisal, significantly reducing the likelihood of depression postnatally. Mothers' informational support and partners' emotional support emerged as significantly protective for postnatal anxiety. Six overarching themes emerged from phase two: Counting on the presence of others, Being cared for as an individual, Having affirmational support, Trusting the provided information, Enhancing mental health, and Being impacted by COVID-19. Women highlighted the importance of receiving humanised, individual, attentive, and considerate care from health professionals.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: This study contributes to the enhanced practice of health professionals, providing practical information about how to support women during the perinatal period, ensuring their well-being, and assuring their infants' optimal development.
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