Contemplating Help-Seeking in Perinatal Psychological Distress—A Meta-Ethnography

Minna Anneli Sorsa, Jari Kylmä and Terese Elisabet Bondas
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Minna Anneli Sorsa: Child Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, 33521 Tampere, Finland
Jari Kylmä: Faculty of Social Sciences, Nursing Science, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Terese Elisabet Bondas: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-23

Abstract: Perinatal psychological distress (PPD) may cause delays in help-seeking in the perinatal period, which is crucial for families with small children. Help-seeking theories focus on rational processes of behavior wherein ‘help-seeking’ is viewed as a decision-making process, in which action is preceded by recognizing a problem. We identified the phase prior to actual help-seeking actions as a life situation and a phenomenon through which to gain a deeper understanding from women’s own perspectives. The aim of this study was to integrate and synthesize knowledge of women’s experiences of contemplating seeking help for PPD. We chose interpretative meta-ethnography by Noblit and Hare (1988) and implemented eMERGe guidelines in reporting. The search was performed systematically, and the 14 included studies were evaluated with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist (CASP). We identified seven themes and a metaphor in a lines-of-argument synthesis, showing that contemplating help-seeking is a multidimensional phenomenon. We did not observe a straightforward and linear process (as previous research suggests) but instead a complex process of contemplating help-seeking. A clinical implication is that service providers should work with outreach and develop their tools to connect with mothers with PPD. Another suggestion is to improve training in mental health literacy prior to or during pregnancy.

Keywords: help-seeking behavior; meta-ethnography; meta-synthesis; perinatal mental health; perinatal depression/anxiety; prevention; treatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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