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Purpose: This systematic review aimed to synthesize qualitative research on parents' psychological experiences following their child's diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD)., Methods: A systematic search of six electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science) was completed, inclusive of all years up to May 2022. Any included articles were synthesized using thematic synthesis and appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist., Results: Twenty-six articles were included. Four main themes, and 11 subthemes, emerged from the synthesis. Theme 1 (unpreparedness for the diagnosis) concerned parents' shock, guilt and anger regarding the diagnosis. Theme 2 (the overwhelming reality of CHD) described parental fear about decision-making and the child's prognosis, and the influence of professionals on parents' well-being. Theme 3 (mourning multiple losses) detailed parents' sadness at losing their envisioned pregnancy, birth and parenthood experiences. Theme 4 (redefining hopes to reach an acceptance of CHD) described parents' adjustment to the diagnosis., Conclusions: Receiving a child's CHD diagnosis was a uniquely challenging situation for parents. The findings provided insight into the emotions parents experienced and how they adjusted to the diagnosis psychologically. As parents' experiences were significantly influenced by their interactions with professionals, clinicians should offer compassion, validation and clear information throughout the diagnosis process., (© 2023 The Authors. British Journal of Health Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society.)

This qualitative study aimed to explore how having a child with a functionally univentricular heart (FUH) affected mothers' experiences of their parental role and identity. Eight mothers whose children had undergone the Fontan surgical procedure were recruited via social media. Interviews were completed using Microsoft Teams and audio-recorded, then transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four themes were identified: (1) being a "heart mum", (2) managing competing roles: "you have to wear lots of different hats all at the same time", with subthemes (a) promoting normality vs. protecting the child and (b) mothering vs. nursing roles, (3) loss and regaining of identity and (4) relinquishing control and letting go of caring roles. Parenting children and young people (CYP) with FUH presented significant challenges to mothers' parental role and identity, which they managed in various ways. There are implications for health services to support mothers with their psychological wellbeing, managing nursing roles and their child's transition to adulthood. Highlights: Mothers described a "heart mum" identity, which was reported to consume their personal identity. Balancing parental roles involved challenging emotional and practical responsibilities. Mothers found it difficult to let go of caring roles, with implications for their coping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment-related difficulties frequently present in child and adolescent clinical services. Yet how parents engage with being informed of their child's attachment-related difficulties is little understood. In this qualitative study, ten parents with a birth child with attachment-related difficulties, as informed by a relevant service, and six healthcare professionals, were interviewed. The aim was to explore both perspectives on how parents experienced and engaged with this process, of their understanding of the child's difficulties and the supports they engaged with. Using grounded theory, the parental journey from shame to awareness is described, based around four main themes: failing as a parent, the process of making sense, a call to action, and awareness of attachment and interrelated difficulties. The intensity of shame and defensive processes felt by parents came through strongly in narratives, forming a key barrier to sense-making and action, while specific clinical, personal and support/resource characteristics facilitated progress. The findings highlight how parents can be better supported into a space of attachment-related awareness and understanding, which may in turn facilitate more positive outcomes for the child. The study also raises wide ranging implications relevant to all involved in the investment, planning and delivery of care for this client group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a significant risk of negative outcomes for families when a parent experiences serious mental illness. Family‐focused practice (FFP) emphasises the "whole family" as the unit of care and has been found to improve outcomes for service users and their families. Despite its benefits, FFP is not routinely implemented in UK adult mental health services. This study explores adult mental health practitioners' experiences and views of FFP within Early Intervention Psychosis Services in the UK. Methods: Sixteen adult mental health practitioners employed in three Early Intervention Psychosis teams in the Northwest of England were interviewed. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Five core themes were generated: (1) A limited understanding of FFP, (2) Our practitioners, (3) Our approach, (4) Our families and (5) Our services. Practitioners' understanding of FFP was limited and typically excluded dependent children. Practitioners' age, professional and personal experience, and preconceptions of families influenced delivery, and in turn, the engagement approach they adopted impacted families' responsiveness. The diversity and dynamics of service user families such as age, socioeconomic status, culture and stigma impacted FFP. An operational context characterised by insufficient resources reduced FFP; however, organisational structures such as leadership, clinical supervision and multi‐disciplinary teams facilitated FFP. Conclusions: FFP is not yet embedded within Early Intervention Services. Practice recommendations include agreeing on a formal definition of FFP and its scope; the development of FFP policy; clarity in relation to staff responsibilities and identities; the adoption of a collaborative approach which encourages service user choice and for time to be ring‐fenced to prioritise FFP. Future research should ascertain service user and family views on the facilitators and barriers to engaging with FFP in Early Intervention Services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Psychosis can present parents with complex parenting challenges and significant adverse outcomes for parents and their children have been reported. However, remarkably little is known about how parenting is experienced by these parents. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to understand the lived experiences of parents with psychosis, including how parenting support was experienced. Design and Methods: Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), eight biological parents (five mothers and three fathers) with psychosis were recruited and interviewed from early intervention in psychosis services in the Northwest of England. Results: Three superordinate themes and seven subordinate themes were identified. Theme 1 'Living with the Struggle: Painfully Disconnected' captured a persistent parenting struggle that distanced parents from their children and support due to all‐consuming experiences of psychosis, fear and risk‐focused service support. Theme 2 'Desired and Vulnerable Position: Comfortably Connected' captured parental experiences of symptom relief through connection with their children, alongside parental need to be integrated with the systems around them. Theme 3 'Exposed: Parenting Under a Spotlight' represented parental experiences of inescapable observation and judgement from the systems around them. Conclusions: Novel insights into the role of misaligned parent and service priorities in parental perceptions of powerlessness, shame and disconnection from their children, valued parenting identities, and system supports are presented. Systemic interventions that target stigma, provide system‐wide psychoeducation and promote person‐centred, compassionate and meaningful connections between parents and the systems they live within are needed to promote better parenting outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored what support male partners of women admitted to Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) wanted. Although research has highlighted the need to support male partners of women admitted to specialist MBUs, little is known about the type of support men want and how they wish support to be delivered Ten men whose partner was admitted to a MBU in the United Kingdom or Australia participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis. Five themes were identified: (1) A smoother journey to and from the MBU, (2) Feeling included, (3) Uncertainty about 'what is going on', (4) Barriers to support and (5) Facilitators of support. This is the first qualitative study to specifically explore the type of support male partners of MBU patients would like in terms of content, delivery and timing. Participants expressed the need to be involved in care decisions regarding their spouse and infant and to be offered advice from professionals. They highlighted barriers to accessing support and offered solutions to minimise those. In terms of clinical implications, we recommend a support package, which could be developed for MBUs to improve outcomes for male partners and their family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Postnatal depression (PND) can have negative consequences for mother and infant. Current psychological therapies are effective in treating depression but improvements in mother-infant outcomes have not yet been established. We aimed to capture mothers' experiences of therapy for PND with a focus on parenting-related outcomes. We also sought their views on including parenting support within interventions. Methods: Fourteen mothers who received psychological therapy in the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed using Framework Analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: 'The experience of therapy', 'Therapy outcomes' and 'Views about parenting interventions for postnatal depression'. The main themes were underpinned by other themes. Overall the findings revealed that mothers perceived therapy as helpful in improving mood, confidence as a parent and relationship with their infant. Mothers valued the process of normalising their experiences within group therapy and by their therapists because it reduced any shame and stigma associated with PND. Mothers thought parenting support within therapy would be acceptable if delivered collaboratively. Conclusions: Primary care-based psychological therapy for PND was perceived as helpful and acceptable. It clearly met some of the mothers' goals, especially if their beliefs about being a 'bad mother' was challenged and modified. Barriers to engagement, such as childcare issues and therapist's knowledge about perinatal mental health, would also need to be overcome. Finally, mother-infant interventions should be further explored as an adjunct treatment option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This systematic review thematically synthesised qualitative research exploring men's experiences of their partner's postnatal mental health problems and their impact on men's emotional wellbeing, relationships and support needs. Maternal postnatal mental health problems impact women and their infants. Recognition of the role that men play in supporting women's' recovery and infants' development is growing. However, less is known about how maternal postnatal mental health problems affect men and how they wish to be supported. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in January 2018 by searching five electronic databases (PsycINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science). Qualitative research studies published in English exploring men's experiences of having a partner with postnatal mental health problems were included. Twenty papers met the inclusion criteria and were appraised for methodological quality. Data were thematically synthesised. Results: In addition to nineteen subthemes, 5 main themes were identified: (1) Being a father, (2) Being a partner, (3) Experiencing negative emotions, (4) The ways in which men cope and (5) Where support is needed. Conclusions: Maternal postnatal mental health problems impacted men's roles of being a father and a partner and gave rise to negative emotions. Men coped with these experiences in a number of ways, which were both helped and hindered by personal, social and professional factors. Participants' coping methods were understood in relation to Coping Theory. Recommendations for perinatal mental health professionals included the need for increased public awareness of postnatal mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotions are considered to be an important feature in eating disorders. The present study aimed to conduct a systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies, which considered the role of emotions in eating disorders in order to gain further insight on how these individuals experience various emotions and the strategies they use to manage them. Databases including Web of Science, PsychInfo, EMBASE, Medline, and the Cochrane library were searched for qualitative studies. The search identified 16 relevant studies. Meta‐ethnography was used to synthesize the data, which involved identifying the key findings and concepts of the studies and creating metaphors. The synthesis involved reciprocal translations and lines of argument approaches being applied to the present data. Results of the synthesis identified four second‐order themes and one third‐order theme relating to the emotional experiences of such individuals. The second‐order themes were (a) negative emotional environments, (b) interpersonal vulnerability, (c) the experience of negative emotions in social contexts, and (d) the management of emotions. The third‐order theme was the emotional self within a social environment. This is the first metasynthesis on emotions and eating disorders, and our synthesis highlights the important role that emotions play in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. Our model demonstrates how poor emotional development whilst growing up results in development of poor socioemotional bonds and the inability to handle negative emotions. The most significant finding of the review is that individuals use their eating disorder to manage negative emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychosis after childbirth is a rare but severe type of mental health difficulty experienced by perinatal women. Research has explored mothers' experiences of onset and recovery from psychosis after childbirth. This study explored the role of the baby in 12 mothers' experiences of recovery. A thematic analysis of the data identified three core themes that described the role of the baby in the mothers' recovery from psychosis after childbirth. Findings revealed that the baby was central to recovery, experienced by mothers as both helpful and unhelpful. The baby interacted with the mother, increasing self-efficacy, and reducing emotional distress. Findings also showed that the baby could act as a barrier to recovery by increasing the women's emotional distress and hindering access to help and self-care. The findings of the study add to the existing evidence based on recovery from psychosis after childbirth. The research and clinical implications of these findings are discussed with reference to the existing literature. Key Practitioner Message The baby has an important role in recovery from psychosis after childbirth., The baby can be perceived by mothers to both hinder and help their recovery., Interacting with the baby can be helpful for the mothers' recovery by improving their self-efficacy and reducing emotional distress., Specialist interventions offered by a mother and baby unit can provide practical support that facilitates mother-baby interactions, which helps move women forward in the recovery process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mothers with severe post-natal mental illness can be admitted with their infant to a psychiatric mother and baby unit (MBU) in the UK. MBUs provide specialist assessment, management and support. Partners of women admitted to MBUs are integral to their recovery but may show reduced wellbeing themselves, yet their support needs have not been investigated. This study aimed to identify how fathers experience the MBU and how they felt supported. A qualitative design was adopted by using a purposive sample of 17 fathers, recruited from a MBU during their partner's admission. Semi-structured interviews were used, and responses were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis. Four main themes were developed: (1) 'double whammy', (2) understanding the admission and illness, (3) support for fathers, and (4) personal stressors and coping. We identified the emotional struggle that fathers experienced when coping simultaneously with the arrival of a baby and their partner's illness. Furthermore, fathers sought support from many sources, but their knowledge of psychiatric services and mental illness was limited. Fathers felt uncertain about their partners' progression and when their partner would return home with their baby. The provision of an information pack and regular one-to-one meetings between fathers and MBU staff are recommended. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message Partners of mothers admitted to a psychiatric mother and baby unit have shown increased vulnerability to mental illness themselves; however, little is known about the support that these fathers need and receive during this time., Using interviews, this study sought to understand a) how fathers experienced the mental illness of their partner and the unit's services and b) how fathers could be better supported., Fathers face many emotional and practical challenges during their partner's admission and seek support from numerous sources, including the mother and baby unit., Fathers require more information from the mother and baby unit with regard to mental illness and the unit's services. Furthermore, the introduction of regular one-to-one updates between staff and fathers would provide an opportunity for fathers to understand how their partner is progressing and for staff to informally assess the father's wellbeing and outstanding support needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in perinatal mental health research have provided valuable insights around risk factors for the overall development of maternal distress. However, there is still a limited understanding of the experience of women struggling emotionally during pregnancy. We explored how women view, experience, and interpret psychological distress antenatally. Eighteen Australian women participated in in-depth interviews that were analyzed thematically within a critical realist theoretical framework. We present and situate the current findings within the dominant discourse of thegood mother, which arguably promotes guilt and stigma and results in women self-labeling asbad mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of fathers during their first year as parents to fully capture their experiences and transition to parenthood.Background:Becoming a parent for the first time has a life-changing impact for both the mother and the father, yet the factors implicated in the transition to fatherhood have been under-researched.Methods:In this qualitative study using an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA), 10 first-time fathers were interviewed 7–12 months after the birth of their baby.Results:Two super-ordinate themes were uncovered: experiences during pregnancy and fatherhood – the early days, which are supported by six sub-ordinate themes. Fathers’ narratives can be understood within the theoretical framework of Draper’s Transition Theory; early fatherhood represents the continuation of a man’s transitory journey, which starts during pregnancy.Conclusion:Despite increasing public awareness and socio-political changes affecting paternal parenting culture, fathers still seem to feel undervalued and unsupported when it comes to antenatal support. The antenatal period is a critical time in which to engage with and support motivated expectant fathers; antenatal psycho-education classes can be adapted to accommodate the needs of men. The mental health of the man has an impact on the woman in the antenatal and post-natal periods; addressing the needs of men during pregnancy can function as an early intervention for his family system and could reduce the financial cost to health services in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: to explore the postnatal experiences of Chinese women living in Manchester, including the factors that contributed to their thoughts and feelings. Background: Chinese culture embraces some unique postnatal traditions, which can create conflict but also increase support for Chinese mothers. This study is the first to investigate Chinese women’s postnatal experiences in the UK. Methods: In this qualitative study eight mothers were interviewed. They spoke either both Chinese and English or Chinese only. Grounded theory was used to analyse the interview transcripts. Results: Two main themes of distress were identified: isolation and conflict. The women’s preferred spoken language and cultural norms determined the extent and nature of their distress. All mothers felt some degree of isolation during their early motherhood, especially when they felt unsupported by local services and family members. Chinese-speaking mothers felt more isolated, whereas bilingual mothers described more conflict, which they attributed to cultural differences with peers, as well as the role of their mother-in-law and that of traditional cultural practices. In addition, the absence of a strong parenting model seemed to be a mediating factor. Conclusions: These findings could promote understanding and provide insight into the potential expression of postnatal depression in Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]