Experiences with Family Planning amongst Persons with Mental Health Problems: A Nationwide Patient Survey

Noralie N. Schonewille (), Monique J. M. van den Eijnden, Nini H. Jonkman, Anne A. M. W. van Kempen, Maria G. van Pampus, Francisca G. Goedhart, Odile A. van den Heuvel and Birit F. P. Broekman
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Noralie N. Schonewille: Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, OLVG, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Monique J. M. van den Eijnden: Team Knowledge, Innovation and Research, MIND, Stationsplein 125, 3818 LE Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Nini H. Jonkman: Department of Research and Epidemiology, OLVG, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Anne A. M. W. van Kempen: Department of Neonatology and Pediatrics, OLVG, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Maria G. van Pampus: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, OLVG, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Francisca G. Goedhart: Team Knowledge, Innovation and Research, MIND, Stationsplein 125, 3818 LE Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Odile A. van den Heuvel: Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Birit F. P. Broekman: Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, OLVG, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC Amsterdam, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: High rates of unintended pregnancies in patients with mental health problems reflect the unmet need for tailored family planning. This study aims to explore aspects of family planning that are especially challenging for patients experiencing health problems by obtaining the perspective of (former) patients and those with close relationships with the (former) patients. In August 2021, members of a Dutch national mental health panel, consisting of (former) patients and close ones, were invited to respond to a 34-question online survey that included questions on four domains: reproductive history, decision making, parenting, and sexuality. This study has revealed the severe and adverse impact of mental health problems across all of the four domains of reproductive health and family planning, which the questions specifically targeted. Based on these results, we recommend discussing family planning with all patients experiencing or at risk for mental health problems and their partners. These discussions should address a desire to have children, (involuntary) childlessness, uncertainties about parenting and sexuality, while remaining considerate of experienced taboos.

Keywords: family planning; psychiatry; mental health; childlessness; sexuality; parenting; taboo; unintended pregnancies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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