City Research Online

Abstract

Background: Anxiety in pregnancy and postnatally is highly prevalent but under-recognised. To identify perinatal anxiety, assessment tools must be acceptable to women who are pregnant or postnatal.

Methods: A qualitative study of women’s experiences of anxiety and mental health assessment during pregnancy and after birth, and views on the acceptability of perinatal anxiety assessment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 pregnant or postnatal women. Results were analysed using Sekhon et al.’s (2017) acceptability framework, as well as inductive coding of new or emergent themes.

Results: Women’s perceptions of routine assessment for perinatal anxiety were generally favourable. Most participants thought assessment was needed, and that the benefits outweighed potential negative impacts, such as unnecessary referrals to specialist services. Three themes were identified of: Raising awareness and improving support; Surveillance and stratifying care; Personalising care and building trust. Assessment was seen as a tool for raising awareness about mental health during the perinatal period, and a mechanism for normalising discussions about mental health more generally. However, views on questionnaire assessments themselves were mixed, with some participants feeling they could become an administrative “tick box” exercise that depersonalises care and does not provide a space to discuss mental health problems.

Conclusion: Routine assessment of perinatal anxiety was generally viewed as positive and acceptable; however, this was qualified by the extent to which it was informed and personalised as a process. Approaches to assessment should ideally be flexible, tailored across the perinatal period and embedded in continuity of care.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Yuill, C. (2024). Women's experiences and views of routine assessment for anxiety in pregnancy and after birth: a qualitative study. British Journal of Health Psychology which will be published in final form at https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/20448287. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Publisher Keywords:	anxiety; screening; assessment; acceptability; pregnancy; postnatal
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Midwifery & Radiography
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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