Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
Clin Psychol Psychother. 2017 Jul;24(4):919-931. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2056. Epub 2016 Dec 2.
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.
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.
英国的精神科母婴单位（MBU）可接收患有严重产后精神疾病的母婴。MBU 提供专门的评估、管理和支持。入住 MBU 的女性的伴侣是其康复的重要组成部分，但他们自己的幸福感可能会降低，但他们的支持需求尚未得到调查。本研究旨在确定父亲如何体验 MBU 以及他们感到得到了哪些支持。采用了定性设计，从 MBU 住院期间的一名伴侣中采用了目的抽样方法，招募了 17 名父亲。使用半结构化访谈，采用归纳主题分析对回应进行分析。制定了四个主要主题：（1）“双重打击”；（2）了解入院和疾病；（3）为父亲提供支持；（4）个人压力源和应对。我们发现，当父亲同时应对婴儿的到来和伴侣的疾病时，他们经历了情感上的挣扎。此外，父亲从许多来源寻求支持，但他们对精神科服务和精神疾病的了解有限。父亲对伴侣的进展和伴侣何时带着婴儿回家感到不确定。建议为父亲提供信息包，并在父亲和 MBU 工作人员之间定期进行一对一的会议。版权所有©2016 约翰威利父子有限公司
