Peta M Forder1, Jane Rich2, Sheree Harris3, Catherine Chojenta4, Nicole Reilly5, Marie-Paule Austin6, Deborah Loxton7. 1. Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Peta.Forder@newcastle.edu.au. 2. Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Jane.Rich@newcastle.edu.au. 3. Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Sheree.Harris@cggs.act.edu.au. 4. Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Catherine.Chojenta@newcastle.edu.au. 5. Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Nicole.Reilly@newcastle.edu.au. 6. Perinatal and Women's Mental Health Unit, St John of God Health Care and University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: M.Austin@unsw.edu.au. 7. Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Deborah.Loxton@newcastle.edu.au.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the degree of honesty and level of comfort reported by women when questioned about their emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period; to investigate if honesty and comfort are associated with perinatal depression or perinatal anxiety; and to examine the reasons why women may not always respond honestly. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative data from 1597 women from the cross-sectional perinatal mental health substudy (part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health) were analysed using a mixed methods approach. RESULTS: When questioned by their health practitioner about their emotional wellbeing in the perinatal period, 20.7% of women indicated they had not always responded honestly. Reasons for not being honest reflected four main themes: normalizing of symptoms/coping; negative perceptions (self-and others); fear of adverse repercussions; and fear of involvement of health services (trust and confidentiality). The 38.9% of women who did not feel comfortable when questioned by their health practitioner about their emotional wellbeing were four times more likely to report perinatal depression (odds ratio = 4.09; 95% confidence interval = 2.55, 6.57) and nearly twice as likely to report perinatal anxiety (odds ratio = 1.90; 95% confidence interval = 1.24, 2.94) than other women. CONCLUSIONS: Women who are most likely to need mental health care during the perinatal period are also those least likely to be honest about their mental health. A non-judgemental, open and reassuring approach by clinicians may help to reduce the stigma and fears contributing to lack of honest responses, and improve early diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the degree of honesty and level of comfort reported by women when questioned about their emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period; to investigate if honesty and comfort are associated with perinatal depression or perinatal anxiety; and to examine the reasons why women may not always respond honestly. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative data from 1597 women from the cross-sectional perinatal mental health substudy (part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health) were analysed using a mixed methods approach. RESULTS: When questioned by their health practitioner about their emotional wellbeing in the perinatal period, 20.7% of women indicated they had not always responded honestly. Reasons for not being honest reflected four main themes: normalizing of symptoms/coping; negative perceptions (self-and others); fear of adverse repercussions; and fear of involvement of health services (trust and confidentiality). The 38.9% of women who did not feel comfortable when questioned by their health practitioner about their emotional wellbeing were four times more likely to report perinatal depression (odds ratio = 4.09; 95% confidence interval = 2.55, 6.57) and nearly twice as likely to report perinatal anxiety (odds ratio = 1.90; 95% confidence interval = 1.24, 2.94) than other women. CONCLUSIONS:Women who are most likely to need mental health care during the perinatal period are also those least likely to be honest about their mental health. A non-judgemental, open and reassuring approach by clinicians may help to reduce the stigma and fears contributing to lack of honest responses, and improve early diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems.
Authors: Magdalena Chrzan-Dętkoś; Natalia Murawska; Tamara Walczak-Kozłowska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-17 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: V Schmied; N Reilly; E Black; D Kingston; K Talcevska; V Mule; M-P Austin Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2020-08-07 Impact factor: 3.007