JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Social support is known to reduce risks of postnatal depression and improve maternal emotional wellbeing. While many preventive efforts have experimented with technology, professionals, and paraprofessionals in providing social support to mothers in need, most studies determined the effectiveness of their interventions through quantitative measurements of maternal outcomes. Experiences and feedback from both participants and administrators are rarely discussed.

Objective:

To evaluate the postnatal experiences of mothers at risk of postnatal depression and the experiences of peer-volunteers on their perceptions of a technology-based peer-support intervention program.

Methods:

A qualitative semi-structured interview was conducted with 20 mothers at risk of depression (10 from the control group and 10 from the intervention group) and 19 peer volunteers from a randomized controlled trial. The peer support intervention program (PIP) includes weekly correspondence between peer volunteers and mothers through any telecommunication means over four weeks. All interviews were approximately 30 to 60 minutes long, audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Study findings were reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.

Results:

Two overarching themes (‘Postnatal experience’ and ‘Evaluation of the PIP’) comprising a total of five themes and 14 subthemes emerged. The two themes under ‘Postnatal experience’ are: 1) A bouncy ride and 2) A way forward. The three themes under ‘Evaluation of the PIP’ are: 1) Valuable, flexible, and supportive program, 2) Building blocks of a good relationship, and 3) Lessons learnt and the road ahead. Mothers from both the control and interventions groups were generally satisfied with the hospital care and the support received from family. They also shared similar breastfeeding challenges and a need for more informed decisions and follow-up support from the hospital. However, mothers who received the PIP tend to have more positive outlooks of their birth experiences. Overall, peer volunteers and mothers involved in the PIP found the PIP useful and expressed satisfaction with the program’s flexibility. They also shared their personal takeaways, the qualities of their friendships, and the need for extended correspondence time and recommended outreach to non-at-risk mothers.

Conclusions:

The positive endorsement of the PIP by peer volunteers and mothers suggests the success of the PIP in maintaining positive maternal emotional wellbeing during the postpartum period. With the help of technology, hospitals can easily provide additional peer support to at-risk mothers in addition to existing standard care offered to these mothers. Clinical Trial: ISRCTN14864807