scholarly journals Be Quiet and Man Up: A Qualitative Study into Men Who Experienced Birth Trauma

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Daniels ◽  
Emily Arden-Close ◽  
Andrew Mayers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Birth Trauma ◽  
Father’S Role ◽  
Traumatic Birth ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Paternal Mental Health ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Research focusing on paternal mental health is limited, especially regarding the impact of the experience of poor mental health in the perinatal period. For example, little is known about the experiences of men who witness their partner’s traumatic birth and the subsequent impact on the father’s mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore fathers’ experiences of witnessing a traumatic birth, how these experiences impacted their wellbeing, and what support they received during and following the traumatic birth. Methods: Sixty-one participants were recruited via targeted social media to complete an anonymous online qualitative questionnaire regarding their birth trauma experience. Eligible participants were aged eighteen or over, resided in the UK and had witnessed their partner’s traumatic birth (that did not result in loss of life). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the questionnaire data. Results: Three main themes were identified: ‘fathers’ understanding of the experience’ (subthemes: nothing can prepare you for it; merely a passenger; mixed experiences with staff; not about me); ‘life after birth trauma’ (subthemes: manhood after birth; inability to be happy; impact on relationships); and ‘the support fathers received vs what they wanted’ (subthemes: prenatal support; birth support; and postnatal support). Conclusions: Fathers reported that witnessing their partner’s traumatic birth had a significant impact on them. They felt this affected their mental health and relationships long into the postnatal period. However, there is no nationally recognised support in place for fathers to use as a result of their experiences. The participants attributed this to being perceived as less important than women in the postnatal period, and maternity services’ perceptions of the father more generally. Implications include ensuring support is available for mother and father following a traumatic birth, with additional staff training geared towards the father’s role.

scholarly journals Be Quiet and Man Up: A Qualitative Questionnaire Study into Fathers Who Witnessed Their Partner’s Birth Trauma

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Daniels ◽  
Emily Arden-Close ◽  
Andrew Mayers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Birth Trauma ◽  
Father’S Role ◽  
Traumatic Birth ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Paternal Mental Health ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Research focusing on paternal mental health is limited, especially regarding the impact of the experience of poor mental health in the perinatal period. For example, little is known about the experiences of fathers who witness their partner’s traumatic birth and the subsequent impact on their mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore fathers’ experiences of witnessing a traumatic birth, how these experiences impacted their wellbeing, and what support they received during and following the traumatic birth. Methods: Sixty-one fathers were recruited via targeted social media to complete an anonymous online qualitative questionnaire regarding their birth trauma experience. Eligible participants were fathers aged eighteen or over, resided in the UK and had witnessed their partner’s traumatic birth (that did not result in loss of life). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the questionnaire data. Results: Three main themes were identified: ‘fathers’ understanding of the experience’ (subthemes: nothing can prepare you for it; merely a passenger; mixed experiences with staff; not about me); ‘life after birth trauma’ (subthemes: manhood after birth; inability to be happy; impact on relationships); and ‘the support fathers received vs what they wanted’ (subthemes: prenatal support; birth support; and postnatal support). Conclusions: Fathers reported that witnessing their partner’s traumatic birth had a significant impact on them. They felt this affected their mental health and relationships long into the postnatal period. However, there is no nationally recognised support in place for fathers to use as a result of their experiences. The participants attributed this to being perceived as less important than women in the postnatal period, and maternity services’ perceptions of the father more generally. Implications include ensuring support is available for both the mother and father following a traumatic birth, with additional staff training geared towards the father’s role.

scholarly journals Be Quiet and Man Up: A Qualitative Study into Men Who Experienced Birth Trauma

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Daniels ◽  
Emily Arden-Close ◽  
Andrew Mayers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Staff Training ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Birth Trauma ◽  
Loss Of Life ◽  
Father’S Role ◽  
Traumatic Birth ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Paternal Mental Health

Abstract Background: Research focusing on paternal mental health is limited and the consequences of this are ignored. For example, little is known about the experiences of men who witness their partner’s traumatic birth and the subsequent impact. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore men’s experiences of witnessing a traumatic birth, how these experiences impacted on their wellbeing, and what support they received during and following the traumatic birth. Methods: Sixty-one participants were recruited via targeted social media to complete an online qualitative questionnaire regarding their birth trauma experience. Eligible participants were aged over eighteen, resided in the UK and had witnessed a traumatic birth that did not result in loss of life. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the questionnaire data. Results: Three main themes were identified: ‘fathers’ understanding of the experience’ (subthemes: nothing can prepare you for it; merely a passenger; mixed experiences with staff; not about me); ‘life after birth trauma’ (subthemes: manhood after birth; inability to be happy; impact on relationships); and ‘the support fathers received vs what they wanted’ (subthemes: prenatal support; birth support; and postnatal support). Conclusions: Fathers reported significant experiences during childbirth when they had witnessed their partner’s traumatic birth. They felt this impacted on their mental health and relationships long into the postnatal period. However, there is no nationally recognised support in place for fathers to use as a result of their experiences. The participants attributed this to being perceived as less important than women in the perinatal/childrearing period, and maternity services’ perceptions of the father more generally. Implications include ensuring support is given to all involved in the perinatal period, with additional staff training geared towards the father’s role.

scholarly journals Be Quiet and Man Up: A Qualitative Study into Men Who Experienced Birth Trauma

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Daniels ◽  
Emily Arden-Close ◽  
Andrew Mayers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Staff Training ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Birth Trauma ◽  
Loss Of Life ◽  
Father’S Role ◽  
Traumatic Birth ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Paternal Mental Health

Abstract Background Research focusing on paternal mental health is limited and the consequences of this are ignored. For example, little is known about the experiences of men who witness their partner’s traumatic birth and the subsequent impact. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore men’s experiences of witnessing a traumatic birth, how these experiences impacted on their wellbeing, and what support they received during and following the traumatic birth. Methods Sixty-one participants were recruited via targeted social media to complete an online qualitative questionnaire regarding their birth trauma experience. Eligible participants were aged over eighteen, resided in the UK and had witnessed a traumatic birth that did not result in loss of life. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the questionnaire data. Results: Three main themes were identified: ‘fathers’ understanding of the experience’ (subthemes: nothing can prepare you for it; merely a passenger; mixed experiences with staff; not about me); ‘life after birth trauma’ (subthemes: manhood after birth; inability to be happy; impact on relationships); and ‘the support fathers received vs what they wanted’ (subthemes: prenatal support; birth support; and postnatal support). Conclusions Fathers reported that witnessing their partner’s traumatic birth had a significant impact on them. They felt this impacted on their mental health and relationships long into the postnatal period. However, there is no nationally recognised support in place for fathers to use as a result of their experiences. The participants attributed this to being perceived as less important than women in the perinatal/childrearing period, and maternity services’ perceptions of the father more generally. Implications include ensuring support is given to all involved in the perinatal period, with additional staff training geared towards the father’s role.

scholarly journals Does poor mental health explain socio-demographic gradients in breast cancer screening uptake? A population-based study

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-543
Author(s):  
Emma Ross ◽  
Aideen Maguire ◽  
Michael Donnelly ◽  
Adrian Mairs ◽  
Clare Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Breast Cancer Screening ◽  
Breast Screening ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Screening Uptake ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Research from the USA indicates disparities in breast cancer screening uptake for women with poor mental health. However, no attempt has been made to examine the contribution of poor mental health to socio-demographic variations in breast screening uptake. The current study aims to examine the impact of self-reported chronic poor mental health on attendance at breast screening in the UK, and to what extent this explains socio-demographic inequalities in screening uptake. Methods Breast screening records were linked to 2011 Census records within the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study. This identified a cohort of 57 328 women who were followed through one 3-year screening cycle of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme. Information on mental health status, in addition to other individual and household-level attributes, was derived from the 2011 Census. Logistic regression was employed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of attendance at screening. Results 10.7% of women in the cohort reported poor mental health, and in fully adjusted analyses, these individuals were 23% less likely to attend breast screening (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.73–0.82). Although poor mental health was a strong predictor of screening uptake, it did not explain the observed inequalities in uptake by socio-economic status, marital status, or area of residence. Conclusions This study provides novel evidence of inequalities in breast screening uptake for women with chronic poor mental health in the UK. Targeted interventions are necessary to ensure equitable screening access and to enhance overall mortality benefit.

Evidence of Impact of Outdoor Swimming on Health using an Online Survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Massey ◽  
Paul Gorczynski ◽  
C Mark Harper ◽  
Lisa Sansom ◽  
Kieren McEwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Injury Category ◽  
Current Sample ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Evidence Of Impact ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Outdoor swimming has grown in popularity in many countries including the UK. Many anecdotal accounts indicate an improvement in medical conditions which are considered a consequence of outdoor swimming. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to better understand outdoor swimmers’ perceptions of their health and the extent to which participation impacted upon their existing, self-reported symptoms. METHODS A survey was deployed investigating outdoor swimming behaviours and reports of any diagnosed medical conditions, if any. Medical conditions were coded into categories and descriptive statistics generated regarding the outdoor swimmers’ behaviours and about the effect outdoor swimming had on their medical symptoms, if any. The medical categories were clustered in to five larger categories based on their prevalence in the current sample: mental health, musculoskeletal & injury, neurological, cardiovascular & blood disease, ‘Other’ which consists of all conditions not categorised in the four previous groups. RESULTS In total, 722 outdoor swimmers responded, of which 498 (69%) were female. The probability of outdoor swimming having ‘some impact’ on health across all medical categories was 3.57 times higher compared to no impact (B=1.28,95% CI [0.63, 1.91], P<.001), 44.32 times higher for the mental health category (B=3.79, 95% CI [2.28, 5.30], P<.001), 5.25 times higher for Musculoskeletal & injury category (B = 1.66, 95% CI [0.52, 2.79], P=.004) and 4.02 times higher for ‘Other’ category (B = 1.39, 95% CI [0.27, 2.51], P=.015). Overall, outdoor swimming was associated with perceived reductions in symptoms of poor mental health (2(2)=25.099, P<0.001), musculoskeletal and injury (2 (2)=8.242, P=.038), cardiovascular and blood (2(2)=14.685, P=.006) and ‘other’ conditions (2(2)= 18.213, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Physical activity taken in the form of outdoor swimming is perceived to have positive impacts on health and is associated with perceived symptom reductions in mental health, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. This study cannot provide causal relationships, or provide mechanistic insight. It does, however, provide a starting point for more targeted prospective intervention research into individual conditions or categories of condition to establish the impact in those who choose to start outdoor swimming.

The impact of a history of poor mental health on health care costs in the perinatal period

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Chojenta ◽  
Jananie William ◽  
Michael A. Martin ◽  
Julie Byles ◽  
Deborah Loxton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Costs ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Care Costs

scholarly journals A qualitative study exploring the experience of psychotherapists working with birth trauma

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Gough ◽  
Vaitsa Giannouli
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Birth Trauma ◽  
Professional Challenges ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Traumatic Birth ◽  
Birth Story ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

As many as 45% of women experience birth trauma. Psychotherapists’ knowledgeable insights are largely absent in literature, and therefore the objective of this research is to gain a comprehensive understanding of how psychotherapists in the UK experience the therapeutic process when working with women who have experienced a traumatic birth. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed to examine the data coming from psychotherapists working with birth trauma. Three ostensible areas of focus were revealed: i) Hearing the story: discovering the altered-self, ii) Working with the story: enabling redemption of the altered-self, and iii) Professional challenges and the wider story: advocating for the altered-self. Birth trauma commonly leads to an altered sense of self, intertwined with a perception of loss regarding the birth experience and autonomy. Working with the client’s birth story, to enable redemption and restore reasoning, is integral to the therapeutic process. Stabilisation and consideration of the presence of the baby are also significant. Integrating approaches produces positive outcomes. There is a purported gap in NHS services, professionals either lacking knowledge and misdiagnosing, or being limited by the emphasis placed on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For the therapeutic process consider: the sense of loss associated with the birth; working with the client’s birth story to enable redemption and restore reasoning; the impact of the presence of the baby and the need for stabilisation; birth trauma as unique. For frontline health professionals: implementing existing screening protocols and undergoing training to recognise birth trauma may reduce misdiagnosis.

scholarly journals 'Protection or punishment?' The implications of detention on the mental health and well-being of migrants, a review of the literature.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Stagg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Immigration Detention ◽  
The World ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Background: The number of individuals forced to leave their home and seek asylum in other countries has risen alongside political instability, conflict and persecution in many parts of the world. These individuals are therefore extremely vulnerable. Many asylum-seekers have witnessed and experienced traumatic events that have contributed to mental illness. Detention is often used to incarcerate asylum-seekers who are waiting for asylum decisions to be made, however many are held in inadequate conditions for long periods of time. With governments using immigration detention increasingly more often, there are serious questions surrounding the impact this has on the mental health of detainees.Methods: A systematic review was undertaken using a comprehensive search strategy across six databases. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included in the review providing that the mental health implications of immigration detention were explored or measured. Grey literature was also searched. The quality of the included studies were appraised and a narrative synthesis conducted in order to establish the main findings of the review. The results of the narrative synthesis were included in a conceptual model that explains how detention works to influence mental health. Results: 22 studies were included in the review. Six themes were identified from analysis of study findings from around the world. Five of those themes also occurred within studies conducted within the UK. In both the UK and globally: detention was associated with poor and deteriorating mental health outcomes; specific conditions inside detention centres were found to contribute to poor mental health; longer durations spent in detention were associated with poorer mental health outcomes; several negative behavioural and emotional responses to the detention experience were observed – particularly in children; the trauma of detention and mental health difficulties developed while in detention remained with individuals after release. In addition to these five themes, a higher number of relocations between detention centres contributed to greater mental distress among detainees outside the UK.Conclusions: This review provides evidence to suggest that an association exists between immigration detention and poor mental health outcomes and that many of the mediators of this relationship are universal. The findings of this paper have several implications for further research and policy. The UK must end indefinite detention and move towards alternative solutions for dealing with asylum-seekers. Detention should only be used as a last resort. Vulnerable individuals, such as children and individuals with existing mental health issues should never be detained. Finally, greater care should be taken to ensure that families with young children are not separated from one-another. Due to the implications of the findings included in this review, it is vital that scientific research of this type is allowed to continue. Future research must evaluate the feasibility and suitability of alternative policies to detention.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on maternal mental health and coping in the UK: Data from the COVID-19 New Mum Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dib ◽  
Emeline Rougeaux ◽  
Adriana Vázquez-Vázquez ◽  
Jonathan CK Wells ◽  
Mary Fewtrell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Household Chores ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

Background: Depression and anxiety affect up to 20% of new and expectant mothers during the perinatal period; this rate may have increased due to COVID-19 and lockdown measures. This analysis aimed to assess how mothers are feeling and coping during lockdown, and to identify the potential pathways that can assist them. Methods: 1329 women living in the UK aged ≥18 years with an infant ≤12 months of age completed an anonymous online survey. Descriptive analysis of maternal mental health, coping, support received, activities undertaken and consequences of lockdown was conducted. Linear regression was used to predict maternal mental health and coping, using activities, support, and consequences of the lockdown as predictors, while adjusting for age, gestational age, ethnicity, income, marital status and number of children. Results: More than half of the participants reported feeling down (56%), lonely (59%), irritable (62%) and worried (71%), to some or high extent since lockdown began. Despite this, 70% felt able to cope with the situation. Support with her own health (95% CI .004, .235), contacting infant support groups (95% CI -.003, .252), and higher infant gestational age (95% CI .000, .063) predicted better mental health. Travelling for work (95% CI -.680, -.121), lockdown having a major impact on the ability to afford food (95% CI -1.202, -.177), and having an income lower than 30k (95% CI -.475, -.042) predicted poorer mental health. Support with her own health and more equal division of household chores were associated with better coping. Conclusion: During lockdown, a large proportion of new mothers experienced symptoms of poor mental health; mothers of infants with lower gestational age, with low income, and who are travelling to work were particularly at risk. However, greater support for maternal health and with household chores showed positive associations with maternal mental health and coping. These findings highlight the urgent need to assess maternal mental health, and to identify prevention strategies for mothers during different stages of lockdown.

Report1: Impact of Covid-19 on young people aged 13-24 in the UK- preliminary findings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liat Levita ◽  
Jilly Gibson Miller ◽  
Todd K. Hartman ◽  
Jamie Murphy ◽  
Mark Shevlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Need For Support ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Social Recovery ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented disruption of normal social relationships and activities, which are so important during the teen years and young adulthood, and to education and economic activity worldwide. The impact of this on young people’s mental health and future prospects may affect their need for support and services, and the speed of the nation’s social recovery afterwards. This study focused on the unique challenges facing young people at different points during adolescent development, which spans from the onset of puberty until the mid-twenties. Although this is an immensely challenging time and there is a potential risk for long term trauma, adolescence can be a period of opportunity, where the teenagers’ brain enjoys greater capacity for change. Hence, the focus on young people is key for designing age-specific interventions and public policies, which can offer new strategies for instilling resilience, emotional regulation, and self-control. In fact, adolescents might be assisted to not only cope, but excel, in spite of the challenges imposed by this pandemic. Our work will feed into the larger societal response that utilizes the discoveries about adolescence in the way we raise, teach, and treat young people during this time of crisis. Wave 1 data has already been collected from 2,002 young people aged 13-24, measuring their mental health (anxiety, depression, trauma), family functioning, social networks, and resilience, and social risk-taking at the time of the pandemic. Here we present a preliminary report of our findings, (Report 1). Data collected 21/4/20- 29/4/20 - a month after the lockdown started).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document