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Experiences of Perinatal Mental Health Care among Minority Ethnic Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in London: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sabrina Pilav

    (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Bexley Bromley and Greenwich Perinatal Mental Health Service, Queen Mary’s Hospital, London DA14 6LT, UK)

  • Abigail Easter

    (Department of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
    Section of Women’s Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK)

  • Sergio A. Silverio

    (Department of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 7EH, UK)

  • Kaat De Backer

    (Department of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 7EH, UK)

  • Sushma Sundaresh

    (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Bexley Bromley and Greenwich Perinatal Mental Health Service, Queen Mary’s Hospital, London DA14 6LT, UK)

  • Sara Roberts

    (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Bexley Bromley and Greenwich Perinatal Mental Health Service, Queen Mary’s Hospital, London DA14 6LT, UK)

  • Louise M. Howard

    (Section of Women’s Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK)

Abstract

(1) Background: Approximately one in five women will experience mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. Women from ethnic minority backgrounds face a variety of barriers that can prevent or delay access to appropriate perinatal mental health care. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions created additional obstacles for this group of women. This study aims to explore minority ethnic women’s experiences of perinatal mental health services during COVID-19 in London. (2) Methods: Eighteen women from ethnic minority backgrounds were interviewed, and data were subject to a thematic analysis. (3) Results: Three main themes were identified, each with two subthemes: ‘Difficulties and Disruptions to Access’ (Access to Appointments; Pandemic Restrictions and Disruption), ‘Experiences of Remote Delivery’ (Preference for Face-to-Face Contact; Advantages of Remote Support); and ‘Psychosocial Experiences’ linked to COVID-19 (Heightened Anxiety; Social Isolation). (4) Conclusions: Women from ethnic minority backgrounds experienced disrupted perinatal mental health care and COVID-19 restrictions compounding their mental health difficulties. Services should take women’s circumstances into account and provide flexibility regarding remote delivery of care.

Suggested Citation

  • Sabrina Pilav & Abigail Easter & Sergio A. Silverio & Kaat De Backer & Sushma Sundaresh & Sara Roberts & Louise M. Howard, 2022. "Experiences of Perinatal Mental Health Care among Minority Ethnic Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in London: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:1975-:d:746003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Debanjan Banerjee & Mayank Rai, 2020. "Social isolation in Covid-19: The impact of loneliness," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(6), pages 525-527, September.
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