Bucks Adult Eating Disorders Service, The Whiteleaf Centre, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Aylesbury, UK.
Centre for Primary Health and Social Care, London Metropolitan University, London, UK.
Ethn Health. 2023 Jul;28(5):738-756. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2022.2128069. Epub 2022 Oct 1.
Previous studies emphasise the negative psychological and physical consequences of Postnatal Depression (PND) on mothers and children's health. In the UK, around 10-20% of women can be affected by perinatal mental health problems. Minority ethnic groups such as Black African mothers are considered to be at greater risk of developing PND and data estimates that immigrant mothers are twice more likely to develop PND than native mothers. The unique experiences and needs of this culturally diverse group remain little explored in the UK. To address this gap in the literature, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of First-Generation Nigerian Mothers (FGNMs) who suffered PND, their coping behaviours and treatment experiences in the UK.
Six FGNMs with a previous diagnosis of PND and treatment experiences were purposefully recruited from GP practices and social groups attended by Nigerian mothers in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
Three master and seven subordinate themes were identified: (i) Socio-cultural factors (Inter-generational transmission; cultural perceptions: shame and stigma; transitions: adjusting to a new culture); (ii) What about me? The neglected nurturer (experiences of treatment; pretending to be OK); and (iii) Loneliness and coping (lack of support from partner; self-reliance).
The study provides evidence about the difficulties encountered by FGNMs in relation to PND, including socio-cultural factors, neglect from family and healthcare professionals, and self-reliance as a coping strategy. Contrary to reports suggesting that Black ethnic groups do not seek help for their mental health needs, participants' accounts indicated that their attempts to engage with professionals were met with unsatisfactory responses. The findings highlight the need to address barriers affecting access to services by fostering a patient-centred and culturally sensitive approach in healthcare teams to effectively engage mothers at an early stage in the detection pathway.
先前的研究强调了产后抑郁症（PND）对母亲和儿童健康的负面心理和生理影响。在英国，大约有 10-20%的女性可能受到围产期心理健康问题的影响。少数族裔群体，如非裔黑人母亲，被认为患 PND 的风险更高，数据估计移民母亲患 PND 的可能性是本土母亲的两倍。在英国，这个文化多元化群体的独特经历和需求仍未得到充分探索。为了填补文献中的这一空白，本研究旨在探讨在英国遭受 PND 的第一代尼日利亚母亲（FGNMs）的生活经历、应对行为和治疗经历。
从英国的全科医生诊所和尼日利亚母亲参加的社交团体中，有目的地招募了 6 名有 PND 病史和治疗经历的 FGNMs。使用解释现象学分析对半结构化访谈进行了分析。
确定了三个主要和七个次要主题：（一）社会文化因素（代际传播；文化观念：羞耻和耻辱；过渡：适应新文化）；（二）那我呢？被忽视的养育者（治疗经历；假装没事）；（三）孤独和应对（缺乏伴侣的支持；自力更生）。
该研究提供了有关 FGNMs 与 PND 相关的困难的证据，包括社会文化因素、家庭和医疗保健专业人员的忽视以及自力更生作为应对策略。与报告称黑人族裔群体不会寻求心理健康需求帮助的说法相反，参与者的叙述表明，他们试图与专业人员接触，但得到的回应并不令人满意。研究结果强调了需要解决影响服务获取的障碍，通过在医疗保健团队中培养以患者为中心和文化敏感的方法，在早期检测途径中有效地接触到母亲。
