Perinatal participation in suicide-focused research Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding suicidal thoughts and behaviours in the perinatal period using common assessment measures: views of women and healthcare professionals
IRAS ID
300812
Contact name
Kerry Hozhabrafkan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Suicide is a serious public health concern and is a leading cause of maternal deaths. Psychological research is essential to advance understanding of the pathways to suicidal experiences and to inform preventative and therapeutic interventions. We know that the perinatal period is a time of increased vulnerability to suicidality, particularly for women with existing mental health problems. Previous research has highlighted the occurrence of and risk factors for suicide in this population. However, further empirical research, examining suicidal experiences directly is needed. The scientific validity and reliability of suicide questionnaire measures have been investigated, yet little attention has been paid to understanding whether participants find them relevant or acceptable. This is particularly true in perinatal populations, where depression scales rather than suicide specific measures are generally used.We believe that investigating participant views and experiences of completing suicide measures will provide important evidence regarding 1) appropriateness for use in research involving perinatal women 2) what is ethical practice for suicide research, through exploring acceptability of methods with participants. Similarly, understanding maternity healthcare professionals’ views about discussing suicide with women is relevant for suicide prevention research as well as clinical care.
In this Mental Health Research UK funded study, women who are pregnant or have given birth in the last year and have had suicidal experiences, will be invited to take part in a one to one interview to test suicide questionnaire measures and will be interviewed about the experience of completing them. One week later, participants will be invited to complete an online questionnaire asking about their overall experience of taking part. Midwives and health visitors (including trainees) will be invited to take part in a semi-structured interview. Participants will be recruited via advertisement and referral from maternity and health visiting services across multiple trusts in the north of England.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EM/0073
Date of REC Opinion
4 May 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion