Does Perceived Partner Support Have an Impact on Mothers’ Mental Health and Parental Burnout?

Abstract Recent interest has been shown regarding support provided for maternal postnatal mental illness. Fathers appear to play an important role within this support, however many feel alienated within maternal services. The current qualitative study aimed to investigate fathers’ experience of support provided to fathers, to help support their partner through postnatal mental illness. Twenty-five fathers participated in an online questionnaire regarding their experience of their partner’s mental illness and the support provided to fathers. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: ‘Support received to help support their partner’, ‘Support fathers wanted that was not received’ and ‘Father’s mental health’. These themes, and subsequent sub-themes, are discussed, highlighting an overall lack of support for many fathers, despite many wanting support on how to help their partner, and 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. The implications for these findings will also be explored, especially in light of the need to inform mental health support services.

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The Effect of Children on the Mental Health of Women in the Paid Labor Force

Journal of Family Issues ◽

10.1177/019251397018003003 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 270-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

SUSAN ROXBURGH

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Labor Force ◽

Job Demands ◽

Job Control ◽

Partner Support ◽

Future Research ◽

Employed Mothers ◽

Employed Women ◽

Paid Labor ◽

Role Demands

Previous research regarding the effect of children on mental health is mixed, with some studies suggesting that mothers are more depressed than their childless counterparts, and others finding no difference. Using a sample of 500 Canadian women, I test how resources and demands in the primary roles of parent, worker, and partner account for variation in the mental health of employed women. Demands are measured as job demands and as chronic strains in home roles. Resources are measured as job control and as partner support. Results indicate that when partner support and job control are high or average, employed mothers are significantly less distressed than employed nonmothers. Conversely, when role demands are high and resources are low, mothers are significantly more distressed than nonmothers. These results are discussed with respect to the interrelationships between social roles, resources, and mental health, and in terms of directions for future research.

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Supporting partners of mothers with severe mental illness through text – a feasibility study

Australasian Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1039856220917073 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (5) ◽

pp. 548-551

Author(s):

Richard Fletcher ◽

Jennifer M StGeorge ◽

Cate Rawlinson ◽

Andrea Baldwin ◽

Paul Lanning ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Severe Mental Illness ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Infant Care ◽

Perceived Usefulness ◽

Partner Support ◽

New Mothers

Objective: During the perinatal period, partners of mothers with severe mental illness (SMI) play an important role in managing the new baby and supporting the mothers’ wellbeing. Providing information via mobile phone on infant care, partner support and self-care may assist partners in their support role. Method: Partners (n = 23) of mothers with SMI were enrolled in a partner-focused SMS service sending brief texts 14 times per month for a maximum of 10 months. Partners (n = 16) were interviewed on exit and their responses analysed for acceptability and perceived usefulness of the texts. Results: Partners remained with the programme and expressed high acceptability of the texts. Participants identified effects such as increased knowledge of and interaction with their baby; effective support for their partner; and reassurance that ‘things were normal’. Few partners sought support for their own mental health. Conclusions: Texts supplied to mobile phones of partners of new mothers with SMI may increase partners’ support. The texts in this study were acceptable to partners and were reported to enhance a partner’s focus on the mother’s needs, raise the partner’s awareness of the infant’s needs, and support the partner’s confidence and competence in infant care.

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1179Intergenerational Effects of Violence on Women’s Perinatal Wellbeing and Infant Health Outcomes in Vietnam

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyab168.165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Phuc Huyen Do ◽

Philip Baker ◽

Van Thang Vo ◽

Xuan Bach Tran ◽

Michael Dunne

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Infant Health ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Partner Support ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

Violence During Pregnancy

Abstract Background This study examined the intergenerational effects of being exposed to childhood maltreatment (CM) and prenatal intimate partner violence (p-IPV) on perinatal mental distress and birth outcomes in central Vietnam. Methods A birth cohort study in Hue City, Vietnam was conducted with 150 women in the third trimester of pregnancy (Wave 1) and three months after childbirth (Wave 2). Using multivariable logistic regression models, augmented inverse-probability-weighted estimators and structural equation modelling (SEM), we analyzed a theoretical model by evaluating adjusted risk differences and pathways between CM, p-IPV and subsequent perinatal adversity and indicators of infant health problems. Results One in two pregnant women experienced at least one form of CM (55.03%) and one in ten pregnant women experienced both CM and p-IPV (10.67%). Mothers who experienced p-IPV or witnessed IPV as a child were approximately twice as likely to experience poor mental health during pregnancy [ARR 1.94, 95% CI (1.20-3.15)]. Infants had a two-fold higher risk of adverse birth outcomes (low birth weight, preterm birth, admission to neonatal intensive care) [ARR 2.45 95% CI (1.42, 4.25)] if their mothers experienced any form of p-IPV, with greater risk if their mothers were exposed to both CM and p-IPV [ARR 3.45 95% CI (1.40, 8.53)]. Notably, significant pathways to p-IPV were found via adverse childhood experience (ACE) events (β = 0.13), neighborhood disorder (β = 0.14) and partner support (β = -1.3). Conclusions These results emphasize the detrimental and prolonged nature of the effect of violence during childhood and pregnancy. Exposure to childhood maltreatment and violence during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal mental health difficulties and adverse birth outcomes. Antenatal care systems need to be responsive to women’s previous experiences of violence and maternal mental health. The significant protective role of partner support and social support should also be considered when designing tailored interventions to address violence during pregnancy. Key messages Mothers with violent and adverse family backgrounds have twice the risk of poor mental health during pregnancy, and their infants have twice the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Social support during pregnancy may have a buffering effect by reducing the long-term impact of childhood traumatic events.

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Finding the Power Within: Is Resilience Protective Against Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Australian Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

10.31234/osf.io/v5gpm ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Antonina Mikocka-Walus ◽

Mark Andrew Stokes ◽

Subhadra Evans ◽

Lisa Olive ◽

Elizabeth Westrupp

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Regression Models ◽

Partner Support ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Large Sample ◽

The Relationship

The present study utilised a strengths-based approach to investigate the association between resilience and indicators of mental health in a large sample of Australian parents at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was nested within a large longitudinal cohort study of Australian parents of a child aged 0‐18 years. Hierarchical regression models were run to examine the relationship between the variables of interest. Of 2,110 respondents included, 1701 (80.6%) were female. Higher resilience was associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Loneliness was a key contributor to mental health outcomes. An increase in extraversion was associated with improved resilience. The relationship between resilience and depression was influenced by the level of partner support. Interventions targeting mental health of parents at the time of pandemics should focus on reducing loneliness while working with the constraints of imposed social isolation, and to include partners.

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Intergenerational Effects of Violence on Women’s Perinatal Wellbeing and Infant Health Outcomes: Evidence from a Birth Cohort Study in Central Vietnam

10.21203/rs.3.rs-490435/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Phuc Huyen Do ◽

Philip RA Baker ◽

Van Thang Vo ◽

Aja Murray ◽

Linda Murray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Infant Health ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Partner Support ◽

Birth Cohort Study ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

Central Vietnam ◽

Violence During Pregnancy

Abstract Background: This study examined the intergenerational effects of being exposed to childhood maltreatment (CM) and prenatal intimate partner violence (p-IPV) on perinatal mental distress and birth outcomes in central Vietnam. Methods: A birth cohort study in Hue City, Vietnam was conducted with 150 women in the third trimester of pregnancy (Wave 1) and three months after childbirth (Wave 2). Using multivariable logistic regression models, augmented inverse-probability-weighted estimators and structural equation modelling (SEM), we analyzed a theoretical model by evaluating adjusted risk differences and pathways between CM, p-IPV and subsequent perinatal adversity and indicators of infant health problems. Results: One in two pregnant women experienced at least one form of CM (55.03%) and one in ten pregnant women experienced both CM and p-IPV (10.67%). Mothers who experienced p-IPV or witnessed IPV as a child were approximately twice as likely to experience poor mental health during pregnancy [ARR 1.94, 95% CI (1.20-3.15)]. Infants had a two-fold higher risk of adverse birth outcomes (low birth weight, preterm birth, admission to neonatal intensive care) [ARR 2.45 95% CI (1.42, 4.25)] if their mothers experienced any form of p-IPV, with greater risk if their mothers were exposed to both CM and p-IPV [ARR 3.45 95% CI (1.40, 8.53)]. Notably, significant pathways to p-IPV were found via adverse childhood experience (ACE) events (β = 0.13), neighborhood disorder (β = 0.14) and partner support (β = -1.3). Conclusion: These results emphasize the detrimental and prolonged nature of the effect of violence during childhood and pregnancy. Exposure to childhood maltreatment and violence during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal mental health difficulties and adverse birth outcomes. Antenatal care systems need to be responsive to women’s previous experiences of violence and maternal mental health. The significant protective role of partner support and social support should also be considered when designing tailored interventions to address violence during pregnancy.

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The risk and protective factors of heightened prenatal anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-99662-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Stefania Vacaru ◽

Roseriet Beijers ◽

Pamela D. Browne ◽

Mariëlle Cloin ◽

Hedwig van Bakel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Crisis Management ◽

Future Generation ◽

Protective Role ◽

Partner Support ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Global Pandemic

AbstractWhile pregnant women are already at-risk for developing symptoms of anxiety and depression, this is heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared anxiety and depression symptoms, as indicators of psychological distress, before and during COVID-19, and investigated the role of partner, social network and healthcare support on COVID-19-related worries and consequently on psychological distress. A national survey, conducted during the first lockdown in The Netherlands, assessed COVID-19 experiences and psychological distress (N = 1421), whereas a comparison sample (N = 1439) was screened for psychological distress in 2017–2018. During COVID-19, the percentage of mothers scoring above the questionnaires’ clinical cut-offs doubled for depression (6% and 12%) and anxiety (24% and 52%). Women reported increased partner support during COVID-19, compared to pre-pandemic, but decreased social and healthcare support. Higher support resulted in lower COVID-19-related worries, which in turn contributed to less psychological distress. Results suggest that a global pandemic exerts a heavy toll on pregnant women’s mental health. Psychological distress was substantially higher during the pandemic than the pre-pandemic years. We identified a protective role of partner, social, and healthcare support, with important implications for the current and future crisis management. Whether increased psychological distress is transient or persistent, and whether and how it affects the future generation remains to be determined.

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

10.21203/rs.2.15894/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Mayers(New Corresponding Author) ◽

Sarah Hambidge(Former Corresponding Author) ◽

Olivia Bryant ◽

Emily Arden-Close

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Partner Support ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Recent Interest ◽

Health Services Need

Abstract Recent interest has been shown regarding support provided for poor maternal postnatal mental health. Fathers appear to play an important role within this support but many feel alienated within maternal services. 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. 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: ‘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. 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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Intergenerational effects of violence on women’s perinatal wellbeing and infant health outcomes: evidence from a birth cohort study in Central Vietnam

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-04097-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Huyen Phuc Do ◽

Philip R. A. Baker ◽

Thang Van Vo ◽

Aja Murray ◽

Linda Murray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Infant Health ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Partner Support ◽

Birth Cohort Study ◽

Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽

Central Vietnam ◽

Violence During Pregnancy

Abstract Background Girls exposed to violence have a high risk of being victimized as adults and are more likely than non-abused women to have children who are treated violently. This intergenerational transmission may be especially serious when women suffer violence during pregnancy and early motherhood, as it impairs maternal wellbeing and infant health and development. This study examined the intergenerational effects of being exposed to childhood maltreatment (CM) and prenatal intimate partner violence (p-IPV) on perinatal mental distress and birth outcomes in central Vietnam. Methods A birth cohort study in Hue City, Vietnam was conducted with 150 women in the third trimester of pregnancy (Wave 1) and 3 months after childbirth (Wave 2). Using multivariable logistic regression models, augmented inverse-probability-weighted estimators and structural equation modelling (SEM), we analyzed a theoretical model by evaluating adjusted risk differences and pathways between CM, p-IPV and subsequent perinatal adversity and indicators of infant health problems. Results One in two pregnant women experienced at least one form of CM (55.03%) and one in ten pregnant women experienced both CM and p-IPV (10.67%). Mothers who experienced p-IPV or witnessed IPV as a child were approximately twice as likely to experience poor mental health during pregnancy [ARR 1.94, 95% CI (1.20–3.15)]. Infants had a two-fold higher risk of adverse birth outcomes (low birth weight, preterm birth, admission to neonatal intensive care) [ARR 2.45 95% CI (1.42, 4.25)] if their mothers experienced any form of p-IPV, with greater risk if their mothers were exposed to both CM and p-IPV [ARR 3.45 95% CI (1.40, 8.53)]. Notably, significant pathways to p-IPV were found via adverse childhood experience (ACE) events (β = 0.13), neighborhood disorder (β = 0.14) and partner support (β = − 1.3). Conclusion These results emphasize the detrimental and prolonged nature of the effect of violence during childhood and pregnancy. Exposure to childhood maltreatment and violence during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal mental health difficulties and adverse birth outcomes. Antenatal care systems need to be responsive to women’s previous experiences of violence and maternal mental health. The significant protective role of partner support and social support should also be considered when designing tailored interventions to address violence during pregnancy.

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