Factors influencing decision-making around pregnancy among women with severe mental illness (SMI): A qualitative study

Ashlesha Bagadia, Madhuri H Nanjundaswamy, Sundarnag Ganjekar, Harish Thippeswamy, Geetha Desai and Prabha S Chandra

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2020, vol. 66, issue 8, 792-798

Abstract: Background: Decision-making around pregnancy is challenging for women with severe mental illness (SMI), and several clinical and socio-cultural factors might influence this process. Aim: The main objective of this study was to determine factors that influence decision-making regarding pregnancy for women with SMI. Methods: Using a qualitative design, 42 women with SMI who were pregnant or planning pregnancy were assessed using a semi-structured interview by an independent researcher not involved in their clinical care. Areas of inquiry included knowledge about their illness, treatment; family and societal beliefs on mental illness and motherhood; illness management; and attitude towards medical advice. Results: Among the 42 women, majority of the women (88%) reported reduced autonomy in decision-making related to pregnancy. Stigma was one of the major contributory factors in decision-making. Over 80% reported not using contraception despite medical advice due to lack of control over the decisions related to the use of contraception. Over 50% of the women in the study believed that taking psychotropic medications during pregnancy would definitely harm the baby. A similar number believed that their illness would not recur if medications were to be stopped during pregnancy. Conclusion: Women with SMI who plan to become pregnant, especially from low-income settings in India, are disadvantaged by stigma and societal expectations, affecting their ability to make optimum decisions during this crucial period. Decision-making around pregnancy in women with SMI is complex and appears to be influenced by several socio-cultural factors and needs to be dealt with sensitively.

Keywords: Decision-making; severe mental illness; pregnancy; contraception; patriarchy; gender preference; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:66:y:2020:i:8:p:792-798

DOI: 10.1177/0020764020925104

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