TY - JOUR
AU - E. Roxburgh
AU - B. L. Taylor
AU - J. Hodgekins
A1 - 
AB - Postpartum psychosis (PP) affects one to two per 1,000 women and requires urgent intervention. Whilst PP primarily impacts women, it can place significant strain on partners, who often play a pivotal role throughout postnatal care and recovery. Little is known about how mental health services engage with and support partners during a PP episode. Therefore, this study aims to explore partners' experiences of mental health services to better understand their experiences and needs and inform service provision. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 partners of women who received support for psychosis following childbirth. Findings were analysed thematically. Three main themes were identified: 'understanding and responding to PP', 'partners' involvement in PP care' and 'the responsibilities undertaken and partner wellbeing'. Partners struggled to recognise PP and reported variability in healthcare professionals' knowledge of the condition. They urged for greater information and awareness of PP for partners, professionals and society. Most took on advocacy roles yet reported inconsistent involvement from services. Their ongoing responsibilities and PP related experiences significantly impacted their emotional wellbeing, with many finding services unresponsive to their needs. Some felt lucky to receive tailored support from charities and general practitioners. Many highlighted the need for improvements in integrated care frameworks for partners. These findings call for more inclusive and consistent care frameworks that actively involve, inform, and support partners with recognising and responding to symptoms of PP, involvement in care and supporting their wellbeing throughout. Further efforts are required to raise awareness of PP, improve staff training, and explore partners' needs from varying backgrounds, time points, and circumstances.
AD - Norwich Medical School, The University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.; Division of Methodologies, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK.; Norwich Medical School, The University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. j.hodgekins@uea.ac.uk.
AN - 40478520
BT - Community Ment Health J
C5 - Healthcare Disparities
CP - 7
DA - Oct
DO - 10.1007/s10597-025-01479-4
DP - NLM
ET - 20250606
IS - 7
JF - Community Ment Health J
LA - eng
N2 - Postpartum psychosis (PP) affects one to two per 1,000 women and requires urgent intervention. Whilst PP primarily impacts women, it can place significant strain on partners, who often play a pivotal role throughout postnatal care and recovery. Little is known about how mental health services engage with and support partners during a PP episode. Therefore, this study aims to explore partners' experiences of mental health services to better understand their experiences and needs and inform service provision. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 partners of women who received support for psychosis following childbirth. Findings were analysed thematically. Three main themes were identified: 'understanding and responding to PP', 'partners' involvement in PP care' and 'the responsibilities undertaken and partner wellbeing'. Partners struggled to recognise PP and reported variability in healthcare professionals' knowledge of the condition. They urged for greater information and awareness of PP for partners, professionals and society. Most took on advocacy roles yet reported inconsistent involvement from services. Their ongoing responsibilities and PP related experiences significantly impacted their emotional wellbeing, with many finding services unresponsive to their needs. Some felt lucky to receive tailored support from charities and general practitioners. Many highlighted the need for improvements in integrated care frameworks for partners. These findings call for more inclusive and consistent care frameworks that actively involve, inform, and support partners with recognising and responding to symptoms of PP, involvement in care and supporting their wellbeing throughout. Further efforts are required to raise awareness of PP, improve staff training, and explore partners' needs from varying backgrounds, time points, and circumstances.
PY - 2025
SN - 0010-3853 (Print); 0010-3853
SP - 1406
EP - 1417+
ST - Experiences of Care from Mental Health Services among Partners of Women Accessing Support for Postpartum Psychosis: a Qualitative Study
T1 - Experiences of Care from Mental Health Services among Partners of Women Accessing Support for Postpartum Psychosis: a Qualitative Study
T2 - Community Ment Health J
TI - Experiences of Care from Mental Health Services among Partners of Women Accessing Support for Postpartum Psychosis: a Qualitative Study
U1 - Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1007/s10597-025-01479-4
VL - 61
VO - 0010-3853 (Print); 0010-3853
Y1 - 2025
ER -