Abstract
Women’s understanding of perinatal mental health and engagement with mental health focussed films within the Baby Buddy App.
Coad, J.1, Bailey, E.1, Nightingale, S.1, Coleby, D.1, Ashley, N.1, Goodenough, T.2, Deave, T.2, Baum, A.3
1 Coventry University 2 University of West England 3 Best Beginnings
Background: The ‘Maternal Mental Health – Women’s Voices’ report (RCOG, 2017) highlighted that one in five mothers suffer mental health issues during the perinatal period, with suicide being the second leading cause of maternal death. This commissioned study aimed to explore use of maternal mental health (MMH) films within the UK charity, Best Beginnings’ Baby Buddy App alongside analysis of in-app activity data.
Methods: Pregnant women using the Baby Buddy App were asked to view their choice of MMH films. Eighteen participants were recruited and offered a telephone or focus group interview, which were recorded, transcribed and data was analysed thematically.
Results: The maternal interviews highlighted four main themes: Access to essential knowledge, Experiences of mental health, Emotional changes in pregnancy and early motherhood, and Barriers to engagement. Overall, women did not seek information about MMH from HCPs, apps or websites, suggesting they learned about MMH issues from others or past experiences. Findings were validated by the in-app data which highlighted MMH films accounted for 4.4% of all films accessed.
Conclusions: Some women were reluctant to identify a need for MMH knowledge, possibly due to stigma associated with MMH. The development of communication which aims to normalise emotional and mental health experiences (such as Best Beginnings ‘Out of the Blue’ films), may reduce stigma, and learning can take place.
Conflict of interest: This study was commissioned by Best Beginnings with funding from the Burdett Trust
Ethics: Approval was obtained via IRAS (167156) and CU Ethics (P45795)
Coad, J.1, Bailey, E.1, Nightingale, S.1, Coleby, D.1, Ashley, N.1, Goodenough, T.2, Deave, T.2, Baum, A.3
1 Coventry University 2 University of West England 3 Best Beginnings
Background: The ‘Maternal Mental Health – Women’s Voices’ report (RCOG, 2017) highlighted that one in five mothers suffer mental health issues during the perinatal period, with suicide being the second leading cause of maternal death. This commissioned study aimed to explore use of maternal mental health (MMH) films within the UK charity, Best Beginnings’ Baby Buddy App alongside analysis of in-app activity data.
Methods: Pregnant women using the Baby Buddy App were asked to view their choice of MMH films. Eighteen participants were recruited and offered a telephone or focus group interview, which were recorded, transcribed and data was analysed thematically.
Results: The maternal interviews highlighted four main themes: Access to essential knowledge, Experiences of mental health, Emotional changes in pregnancy and early motherhood, and Barriers to engagement. Overall, women did not seek information about MMH from HCPs, apps or websites, suggesting they learned about MMH issues from others or past experiences. Findings were validated by the in-app data which highlighted MMH films accounted for 4.4% of all films accessed.
Conclusions: Some women were reluctant to identify a need for MMH knowledge, possibly due to stigma associated with MMH. The development of communication which aims to normalise emotional and mental health experiences (such as Best Beginnings ‘Out of the Blue’ films), may reduce stigma, and learning can take place.
Conflict of interest: This study was commissioned by Best Beginnings with funding from the Burdett Trust
Ethics: Approval was obtained via IRAS (167156) and CU Ethics (P45795)
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 23 Oct 2018 |
| Event | Improving maternal health from evidence - Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland Duration: 23 Oct 2018 → 23 Oct 2018 https://eubirthresearch.eu/2018/07/05/conference-improving-maternal-health-from-evidence-into-action-dublin-october-23-2018/ |
Conference
| Conference | Improving maternal health from evidence |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Ireland |
| City | Dublin |
| Period | 23/10/18 → 23/10/18 |
| Internet address |
