Projects per year
Abstract
Objective: This study explored what support male partners of women admitted to Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) wanted.
Background: Although research has highlighted the need to support male partners of women admitted to specialist MBUs, little is known about the type of support men want and how they wish support to be delivered
Methods: Ten men whose partner was admitted to a MBU in the United Kingdom or Australia participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis.
Results: Five themes were identified: (1) A smoother journey to and from the MBU, (2) Feeling included, (3) Uncertainty about ‘what is going on’, (4) Barriers to support and (5) Facilitators of support.
Conclusion: This is the first qualitative study to specifically explore the type of support male partners of MBU patients would like in terms of content, delivery and timing. Participants expressed the need to be involved in care decisions regarding their spouse and infant and to be offered advice from professionals. They highlighted barriers to accessing support and offered solutions to minimise those. In terms of clinical implications, we recommend a support package, which could be developed for MBUs to improve outcomes for male partners and their family.
Background: Although research has highlighted the need to support male partners of women admitted to specialist MBUs, little is known about the type of support men want and how they wish support to be delivered
Methods: Ten men whose partner was admitted to a MBU in the United Kingdom or Australia participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis.
Results: Five themes were identified: (1) A smoother journey to and from the MBU, (2) Feeling included, (3) Uncertainty about ‘what is going on’, (4) Barriers to support and (5) Facilitators of support.
Conclusion: This is the first qualitative study to specifically explore the type of support male partners of MBU patients would like in terms of content, delivery and timing. Participants expressed the need to be involved in care decisions regarding their spouse and infant and to be offered advice from professionals. They highlighted barriers to accessing support and offered solutions to minimise those. In terms of clinical implications, we recommend a support package, which could be developed for MBUs to improve outcomes for male partners and their family.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 378-394 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 4 Dec 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2020 |
Keywords
- spouse
- men
- father
- support
- postnatal mental health
- qualitative
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Dive into the research topics of 'Psychosocial support for male partners of women admitted to Mother and Baby Units'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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PRIME-RU: Perinatal Mental Health and Parenting Research Unit (PRIME-RU)
Wittkowski, A. (PI), Gregg, L. (CoI), Wan, M. (CoI), Smith, D. (CoI), Lemetyinen, H. (Researcher), Reid, H. (Researcher) & Millard, L. (Researcher)
1/10/20 → 31/03/24
Project: Research
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The experiences of male partners of women with postnatal mental health problems: A systematic review and thematic synthesis
Ruffell, B., Smith, D. & Wittkowski, A., Oct 2019, In: Journal of Child and Family Studies. 28, 10, p. 2772–2790 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Male partners of women admitted to Mother and Baby Units in the United Kingdom: A survey of available psychosocial and psychological interventions
Turner, B., Garrett, C. & Wittkowski, A., 13 Feb 2018, In: Women's Health Research . 1, 1, p. 25-36Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Downloads (Pure)
Student theses
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Support for male partners of women with postnatal mental health problems: A qualitative investigation
Ruffell, B. (Author), Wittkowski, A. (Supervisor) & Smith, D. (Supervisor), 31 Dec 2018Student thesis: Doctor of Clinical Psychology
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