Identifying acceptable outcome measures within perinatal mental health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
User involvement in identifying appropriate outcomes measures within perinatal Mental Health and mother-infant attachment
IRAS ID
246176
Contact name
Rebecca Jane Balakrishna
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Weston Area Health Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
Research Question
Would the involvement of services users in the choice of mental health outcome measures, used with perinatal mothers, increase the acceptance of measure used clinically? Would acceptable outcome measure increase the likelihood of the measure being completed more genuinely?
What will be studied and why
A Systematic review of the effectiveness of infant massage programmes in improving mother and infant attachment and dyadic attunement was conducted using 4 databases, including publications from January 1980 to May 2016. Two reviewers screened the extracted data for eligibility and quality, using standardised forms.
A number of the reviewed studies included outcome measures assessing the mother’s mood state. However there was little evidence of service user participation in study design or choice of outcome measures in any of the papers reviewed. The review outcomes suggested that future research or service design might consider involving service users to inform acceptable and ‘user friendly’ outcome measures for use in research or clinical practice. It was felt that this might increase participation, retention and give useful and genuine feedback for service or research development.
Who will be involved
Women in the perinatal period (conception to 1 years postnatal) accessing routine health services. Exception mother under 18 years, women illiterate in English and learning disabilities women. Participants will be asked to review a range of commonly used and ratified outcome measures that consider mental health issues. A structured questionnaire and a structured interview will be used to gather responses and to inform the research findings. (qualitative and quantitative research methods).
Where and how
The women will recruited from drop-in baby clinics and invited to attend a group interview within a children’s centre. The interview and questionnaire will be completed at these invited sessions and the participants will be invited back to a feedback session when outcomes are determined.REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0269
Date of REC Opinion
31 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion