Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Research and Implications for Nursing Care

Feasibility and utility of ecological momentary assessment to measure mental health issues in perinatal women: Scoping review

BACKGROUND

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) allows real-time, repeated evaluations of emotions and thoughts in natural settings, effectively avoiding retrospective bias associated with traditional surveys and capturing the dynamic nature of psychological variables. However, its feasibility, utility, and methodological details for studying or monitoring maternal mental health remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to assess the feasibility and utility of EMA in perinatal women with mental health issues, identify application gaps, and explore future directions for its development.

METHODS

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines for systematic reviews. Both the feasibility and utility of the extracted data were analyzed. Feasibility was evaluated using response-related results, study design, and data collection methods, while utility was assessed based on evaluation outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 27 studies meeting inclusion criteria, EMA protocols demonstrated an average compliance rate of 80% (ranging from 63% to 96%), indicating strong feasibility for assessing diverse outcome variables. EMA proved useful in predicting or evaluating trends in maternal psychological symptoms and exploring relationships between variables. However, several gaps were identified, including limited sample representation, high participant burden, and insufficient development of ecological momentary interventions to support maternal mental health.

CONCLUSION

EMA is both feasible and useful for addressing maternal mental health issues. Future improvements to EMA protocols should focus on reducing participant burden, addressing response-related challenges, and enhancing their application in perinatal mental health management.

Predictors of Postpartum Depression Among Women with Low Incomes in the United States

PURPOSE

To evaluate the predictors of postpartum depression and to examine the effects of maternal racial identity on postpartum depression among women with low incomes in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a secondary data analysis using baseline data from the Baby's First Years study, including postpartum women living below the federal poverty line who were recruited from four diverse communities in the United States. Postpartum depression symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Logistic regressions were performed to identify associations between pre-identified postpartum depression risk factors and postpartum depression among participants, followed by predictive margins analyses to elaborate on probability of postpartum depression across different racial identity groups in the sample.

RESULTS

The sample included 1,051 postpartum women. Almost one-half of participants identified as Black (45.9%), followed by White (20.7%), American Indian (1.8%), and Asian (1.3%). Prevalence of postpartum depression in the sample was 24%. Financial insecurity and alcohol use were positively associated with postpartum depression, whereas level of education and reported physical health were negatively associated with postpartum depression. Mothers who identified as Black had an 8.3% higher probability of postpartum depression than that of White mothers in the sample.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Nurses working with populations with low income should assess social determinants of health to provide holistic mental health care. Women with low incomes should be referred to resources which account for their financial burden. Racial disparities exist in perinatal care, and birth and postpartum mental health outcomes. It is crucial to address the systemic racism faced by Black mothers experiencing postpartum depression.

Posttraumatic Growth after Postpartum Psychosis

PURPOSE

To explore positive changes in women's beliefs, emotions, and behaviors following their struggles with postpartum psychosis.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a descriptive qualitative study of women who experienced posttraumatic growth after postpartum psychosis. We recruited participants from postings on three Facebook groups. Participants sent their stories of posttraumatic growth after postpartum psychosis via email attachment. We used the following five domains from Tedeschi and Calhoun's (2004) posttraumatic growth model to guide our deductive content analysis: Relating to Others, Personal Strength, Appreciation of Life, New Possibilities, and Spiritual and Existential Change .

RESULTS

Thirteen women participated. Relating to Others was the posttraumatic growth domain most often described by the participants followed in order of frequency by Personal Strength, Appreciation of Life, New Possibilities , and Spiritual and Existential Change . Partners and family members' support was instrumental in recovery from postpartum psychosis.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

When considering the total sample, participants experienced all five domains of posttraumatic growth after postpartum psychosis though not every individual experienced growth in all five domains. Interventions can be tailored to meet the needs of women depending on which phase of recovery from postpartum psychosis women are in, acute, early recovery, or advanced recovery. Advanced recovery is the most appropriate phase to discuss the possibility of posttraumatic growth with women. Such discussion should be done with caution and sensitivity as not all women experience positive growth, and it can be harmful to frame this in a way that indicates or encourages expectation.

Birth, Postpartum, and Home Experiences of Individuals With Lower Extremity Nerve Injury

OBJECTIVE

To explore birth and at-home postpartum experiences of individuals with lower extremity nerve injury (LENI) related to childbirth.

DESIGN

Mixed-methods, descriptive, cross-sectional survey with open-ended questions.

SETTING

Closed Facebook support group.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred-thirty individuals who experienced LENI during childbirth.

MEASUREMENTS

Two research team members developed the online LENI survey that incorporated suggestions from LENI support group leaders. We used descriptive statistics, linear regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves to summarize the quantitative data and used content analysis for open-ended items.

RESULTS

We described labor, birth, and postpartum characteristics in our sample, including immediate and long-term LENI symptoms. Falls resulting from LENI were common in the hospital (55.6%) and at home (75.6%). At discharge home, respondents reported low confidence in their ability to care for themselves and their infants as well as high levels of dependence on others. There was an 89.6% prevalence of depression in the first month at home. Approximately 80% of participants rated their degree of healing at 5 years as 80% to 100% healed. Content analysis yielded six themes: (a) Grieving Loss of Current and Future Life; (b) Caregiver Responses That Helped or Hindered; (c) Being in Danger; (d) Experiencing Emotional Turmoil; (e) Dealing With Family, Marital, and Financial Difficulties; and (f) Finding Strength, Overcoming Obstacles, and Experiencing Personal Growth.

CONCLUSION

Participants in our sample reported a very high rate of falls, anxiety, and depression at home. Nurses should recognize LENI symptoms, take action to prevent falls, and offer accurate information and referrals.