Perinatal stress and anxiety in Ireland: experiences and support needs

Abstract

Objectives: Perinatal stress and anxiety from conception to two years postpartum have important adverse outcomes for women and infants. This study examined (i) women's perception of sources and experiences of perinatal stress and anxiety, (ii) women's attitudes to and experiences of available supports, and (iii) women's preferences for perinatal stress and anxiety supports in Ireland.

Methods: An online mixed-methods cross-sectional survey was conducted with 700 women in Ireland. Participants were pregnant women (n = 214) or mothers of children ≤ 2 years old (n = 486). Participants completed closed-ended questionnaires on sociodemographic, birth and child factors, and on stress, anxiety, perceived social support, and resilience. Participants completed open-ended questions about experiences of stress and anxiety and the supports available for stress and anxiety during pregnancy and/or postpartum. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and using correlations; qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Quantitative data indicated significant relationships between perinatal stress and/or anxiety and women's perceived social support, resilience, having a previous mental health disorder diagnosis (both p < 0.001), and experiencing a high-risk pregnancy or pregnancy complications (p < 0.01). Themes developed in qualitative analyses included: 'perceived responsibilities'; 'self-care'; 'care for maternal health and well-being'; 'social support'; and 'access to support and information'.

Conclusions: Women's stress and anxiety are impacted by multiple diverse factors related to the individual, to interpersonal relationships, to perinatal health and mental health outcomes, and to available services and supports. Development of support-based individual-level interventions and increased peer support, coupled with improvements to service provision is needed to provide better perinatal care for women in Ireland.

Keywords: Stress; anxiety; perinatal; postpartum; pregnancy.