Perinatal mental health difficulties in mothers and fathers

Murray, Lucy (2015). Perinatal mental health difficulties in mothers and fathers. University of Birmingham. Clin.Psy.D.

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Abstract

This thesis presents two papers. The first is a systematic review of the literature exploring the relationship between perinatal paternal mental health difficulties and child outcomes in preadolescence. Eighteen papers were reviewed. The review found fairly consistent evidence for internalising and externalising problems and mixed evidence for socio-emotional and cognitive difficulties and child temperament. More research is required regarding mental health in fathers during this period more generally as well as how preadolescent child outcomes may be affected. The second paper is an empirical study exploring whether perfectionism was related to experiences of postnatal distress (depression, anxiety and OCD) in first time mothers and whether this relationship could be explained by antenatal maternal orientation. Furthermore, whether the strength of any relationships were affected by participants’ experience of becoming a mother. Eighty-four women completed questionnaires during their third trimester of pregnancy and fifty-nine six-to-twelve weeks after birth. A relationship between socially prescribed perfectionism and postnatal depression and anxiety was observed. Antenatal maternal orientation did not mediate this relationship. Mental health in pregnancy, the impact of sleep deprivation, feelings of control and powerlessness, perceived relationship with baby and levels of social support predicted depression, anxiety and OCD in the postnatal period.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.

Supervisor(s):