Exploring Intrusive Thoughts, Psychotic-Like Experiences and Mental Health Recovery Outcomes in the Perinatal Period

Foreman, Ilana Louise (2024) Exploring Intrusive Thoughts, Psychotic-Like Experiences and Mental Health Recovery Outcomes in the Perinatal Period. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Preview

PDF Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

Background

The perinatal period is a time of great change for parents, and many can experience difficulties with their mental health (MH), which can negatively impact parents, babies, and surrounding systems. Consequently, perinatal services have received increased funding and are an NHS priority. Though, gaps in our understanding of perinatal mental health (PMH) difficulties remain, particularly in non-clinical and community samples. This portfolio aims to explore longitudinal PMH symptom outcomes and associated predictors; and aims to understand the distress of parents’ postnatal intrusive thoughts (ITs) and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and their associations with parenting experiences and MH.

Method

The systematic review included 20 studies with 45,130 mothers without MH diagnosis; MH symptoms were assessed at three time-points across the perinatal period. The empirical project applied a cross-sectional, quantitative, online survey design, and recruited a community sample of postnatal parents.

Results

The systematic review found PMH symptoms typically improve from pregnancy to postpartum and most mothers report ‘no’ to ‘mild’ symptoms. A history of MH, stress, marital status, and low income predicted maintained PMH symptoms. The empirical project recruited 349 parents and found 93% reported ITs and 83% reported associated distress; 88% reported PLEs and 90% reported associated distress. ITs and PLEs were significantly associated with lower parental competence, and increased parenting stress and MH; ITs and PLEs predicted parenting experiences, though this relationship was mediated by depression and anxiety. Significant differences were found between female and male parents.

Conclusions

The systematic review highlights how PMH symptoms can fluctuate during the perinatal period, though greater research is warranted to explore a wider range of symptoms and better understand factors predicting symptom improvement. The empirical paper demonstrates that distressing ITs and PLEs can negatively impact parenting experiences and MH. Increased PMH awareness and symptom screening could identify parents in need of support.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Depositing User:	Jennifer Whitaker
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2024 16:55
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2024 16:55
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/97599
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item