An exploration of factors influencing parents from minoritized ethnic backgrounds views and experiences of accessing perinatal mental health services in the UK

Abstract

The first chapter is a systematic review exploring barriers to accessing perinatal mental health services for parents from Minoritized Ethnic Backgrounds in the UK. Searches were conducted on three databases and six studies met the inclusion criteria. A thematic synthesis was performed on the data and seven overarching themes were identified. The findings suggest that parents from Minoritized ethnic backgrounds experience barriers across various levels, particularly an individual level and structural level. Education and training are needed for both patients and professionals in understanding perinatal mental health, the impact of culture and ethnicity on this, and best practice in attending to cultural differences to reduce barriers to accessing perinatal mental health services. The second chapter is an empirical paper exploring Black parents’ views on accessing perinatal and/or maternal mental health services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen parents; with one interview being conducted with a married couple. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and four overarching themes were identified. Black parents’ weigh up a range of factors when considering accessing perinatal mental health services or not, this can be influenced by views and interactions with family and friends, as well as interactions with healthcare professionals, both of which have positive and negative elements. Greater collaboration between the Black community and healthcare professionals is needed, to identify how the needs of Black parents; in the context of perinatal mental health, can be met in a culturally safe and sensitive way in perinatal mental health services.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Pete Lawrence: orcid.org/0000-0001-6181-433X

Catalogue record

Export record