Ethnic minority women’s experiences and expectations of PSI in England
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Navigating Perinatal mental health: A qualitative study of ethnic minority women’s experiences and expectations of peer support interventions in England.
IRAS ID
352290
Contact name
SIHAM SIKANDER
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Perinatal mental health significantly affects mothers and infants. A 2020 NHS study found that 1 in 5 UK women experience distress during pregnancy or postpartum, with ethnic minorities facing additional challenges in accessing support.
This study aims to provide insight into how peer support services can effectively benefit ethnic minority women in England, specifically focusing on those experiencing perinatal mental health issues. The research will begin by exploring the unique needs and challenges faced by perinatal ethnic minority women. It will seek to understand their expectations regarding healthcare services and how peer support interventions can play a role in addressing these needs.Suppose peer support interventions are shown to meet the expectations of these women. In that case, the study will delve into ways to enhance the acceptability and accessibility of these services within ethnic minority communities. Furthermore, the research will consider the potential of peer support interventions, exploring their effectiveness in promoting mental health and overall well-being among ethnic minorities.
The goal of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of perinatal ethnic minority women who are grappling with mental health disorders. This involves identifying the barriers they encounter in accessing and engaging with peer support services and how these services can be structured to foster greater support-seeking behaviour. In addition, the study will assess how effective these services are in promoting mental health and well-being for ethnic minorities, particularly emphasising the role of peer support mechanisms.
The study will focus on perinatal ethnic minority South Asian women, taking nearly 8 months; approximately 15 in-depth interviews will be conducted to gather qualitative data. Using thematic analysis, the research aims to explore participants' experiences and the meanings they assign to them, enhancing understanding of perinatal mental health issues within ethnic minority populations.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0784
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion