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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Midwives’ perspectives and perceptions in relation to perinatal psychotic-like experiences
T2 - A qualitative study
AU - Turgoose, Molly
AU - Sellwood, Bill
AU - Chamberlain, Libby
AU - Murray, Craig
PY - 2024/9/18
Y1 - 2024/9/18
N2 - BackgroundPsychotic-like experiences (PLEs) refer to subclinical experiences consistent with psychosis that may include hearing, feeling or seeing things that others cannot, or experiencing unusual beliefs. These experiences appear to be more common during the perinatal period. There appear to be barriers which make it difficult for midwives to support mothers with mental health difficulties. However, it is important that midwives can provide support with PLEs.AimThis study aimed to explore UK midwives’ perspectives and perceptions relating to mothers’ psychotic-like experiences in the perinatal period.MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with ten midwives recruited online was conducted. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were developed: (1) Identifying psychotic-like experiences would be complicated; (2) Psychotic-like experiences can feel overwhelming for women and midwives; (3) This is my responsibility: I’ll do what I can to support women even if it’s hard; and (4) The system feels unsafe and insecure which makes the anticipated role in supporting psychotic-like experiences harder.ConclusionMidwives described their motivation to support mothers with PLEs but articulated many factors that made this difficult. The results emphasise the importance of training and guidance for midwives to support them being able to offer support and information to mothers. The findings also highlight the importance of systemic safety for midwives alongside support through supervision and reflective practice.
AB - BackgroundPsychotic-like experiences (PLEs) refer to subclinical experiences consistent with psychosis that may include hearing, feeling or seeing things that others cannot, or experiencing unusual beliefs. These experiences appear to be more common during the perinatal period. There appear to be barriers which make it difficult for midwives to support mothers with mental health difficulties. However, it is important that midwives can provide support with PLEs.AimThis study aimed to explore UK midwives’ perspectives and perceptions relating to mothers’ psychotic-like experiences in the perinatal period.MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with ten midwives recruited online was conducted. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were developed: (1) Identifying psychotic-like experiences would be complicated; (2) Psychotic-like experiences can feel overwhelming for women and midwives; (3) This is my responsibility: I’ll do what I can to support women even if it’s hard; and (4) The system feels unsafe and insecure which makes the anticipated role in supporting psychotic-like experiences harder.ConclusionMidwives described their motivation to support mothers with PLEs but articulated many factors that made this difficult. The results emphasise the importance of training and guidance for midwives to support them being able to offer support and information to mothers. The findings also highlight the importance of systemic safety for midwives alongside support through supervision and reflective practice.
U2 - 10.1080/02646838.2024.2405122
DO - 10.1080/02646838.2024.2405122
M3 - Journal article
JO - Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
JF - Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
SN - 0264-6838
ER -