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Facilitators and Barriers to Disclosure of Postpartum Mood Disorder Symptoms to a Healthcare Provider

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Abstract

Objectives This study explored perceived barriers and facilitators to disclosure of postpartum mood disorder (PPMD) symptoms to healthcare professionals among a community-based sample. Methods A sample of predominantly white, middle class, partnered, adult women from an urban area in the southeast United States (n = 211) within 3 years postpartum participated in an online survey including the Perceived Barriers to Treatment Scale, the Maternity Social Support Scale, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, and items querying PPMD disclosure. Perceived barriers were operationalized as factors, from the patient’s perspective, that impede or reduce the likelihood of discussing her postpartum mood symptoms with a healthcare provider. Analyses examined: (1) characteristics associated with perceived barriers; (2) characteristics associated with perceived social support; and (3) characteristics, perceived barriers, and perceived social support as predictors of disclosure. Results Over half of the sample reported PPMD symptoms, but one in five did not disclose to a healthcare provider. Approximately half of women reported at least one barrier that made help-seeking “extremely difficult” or “impossible.” Over one-third indicated they had less than adequate social support. Social support and stress, but not barriers, were associated with disclosure in multivariable models. Conclusions for Practice Many women experiencing clinically-significant levels of distress did not disclose their symptoms of PPMD. Beyond universal screening, efforts to promote PPMD disclosure and help-seeking should target mothers’ social support networks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7650, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7650, USA

    Betty-Shannon Prevatt & Sarah L. Desmarais

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  1. Betty-Shannon Prevatt
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  2. Sarah L. Desmarais
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Correspondence to Betty-Shannon Prevatt.

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Prevatt, BS., Desmarais, S.L. Facilitators and Barriers to Disclosure of Postpartum Mood Disorder Symptoms to a Healthcare Provider. Matern Child Health J 22, 120–129 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-017-2361-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-017-2361-5

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