Understanding Early Mothering in Women with Postpartum Psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding Psychological Processes of Mothering in Women with Postpartum Psychosis (PPP)
IRAS ID
225325
Contact name
Siobhan Kelly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 26 days
Research summary
The project aims to explore psychological processes of mothering in women who have experienced postpartum psychosis (PPP) and how this affected their experience of motherhood. Postpartum psychosis is the most severe psychiatric disorder that occurs after childbirth; affecting 1-2 in every 1000 births. In 50% of cases, postpartum psychosis can develop in women with no previous psychiatric difficulties and often requires inpatient admission. While there is considerable evidence on the mental health function of women affected by postpartum psychosis and the impact on aspects of infant care and safety, little is known about the impact of postpartum psychosis on mother’s own subjective experience of responding to their infant and their experience of the mother-infant relationship.
Based on previous literature, it is expected that postpartum psychosis may interfere with cognitive and emotional parenting functions such as reflective functioning and mind-mindedness. These aspects influence how a mother interprets and responds to her infant's needs. This research aims to inform psychological understanding of becoming a mother with postpartum psychosis and the impact on psychological processes involved in this experience.
This project aims to recruit mothers who have been diagnosed with postpartum psychosis in the last 6-18 months and have no previous psychiatric history. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study will require a small sample of 6-10 participants who will be recruited through NHS perinatal mental health services. Following consent, individual semi-structured interviews will be conducted with each participant and it is expected that these will last approximately one hour.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0993
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion