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ToolsRoxburgh, Emily, Taylor, Billie Lever and Hodgekins, Joanne (2025) Experiences of care from mental health services among partners of women accessing support for postpartum psychosis: A qualitative study. Community Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0010-3853
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Postpartum psychosis (PP) affects one to two per 1,000 women and requires urgent intervention. Whilst PP primarily impacts women, it can place significant strain on partners, who often play a pivotal role throughout postnatal care and recovery. Little is known about how mental health services engage with and support partners during a PP episode. Therefore, this study aims to explore partners’ experiences of mental health services to better understand their experiences and needs and inform service provision. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 partners of women who received support for psychosis following childbirth. Findings were analysed thematically. Three main themes were identified: ‘understanding and responding to PP’, ‘partners’ involvement in PP care’ and ‘the responsibilities undertaken and partner wellbeing’. Partners struggled to recognise PP and reported variability in healthcare professionals’ knowledge of the condition. They urged for greater information and awareness of PP for partners, professionals and society. Most took on advocacy roles yet reported inconsistent involvement from services. Their ongoing responsibilities and PP related experiences significantly impacted their emotional wellbeing, with many finding services unresponsive to their needs. Some felt lucky to receive tailored support from charities and general practitioners. Many highlighted the need for improvements in integrated care frameworks for partners. These findings call for more inclusive and consistent care frameworks that actively involve, inform, and support partners with recognising and responding to symptoms of PP, involvement in care and supporting their wellbeing throughout. Further efforts are required to raise awareness of PP, improve staff training, and explore partners’ needs from varying backgrounds, time points, and circumstances.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Data Availability: Data and materials are not available for distribution to others than the research team. Funding: This study was funded as part of Emily Roxburgh’s Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, by the University of East Anglia. Billie Lever Taylor is funded by a NIHR Advanced Fellowship (NIHR 303083). The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS or the UK Department of Health and Social Care. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | fathers,partners,postnatal care,postpartum psychosis,qualitative,services,health(social science),public health, environmental and occupational health,psychiatry and mental health ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3306 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Mental Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Jun 2025 11:30 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Jun 2025 11:30 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99773 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10597-025-01479-4 |
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