Perinatal mental health: experiences of seeking and receiving healthcare intervention

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dc.contributor.advisorDempsey, Maria
dc.contributor.advisorLarkin, Fionnuala
dc.contributor.authorNí Ghráda, Áineen
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-06T10:17:25Z
dc.date.available2025-10-06T10:17:25Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.submitted2025
dc.description.abstractThe perinatal period is a time of profound biopsychosocial transition, during which many women are vulnerable to mental health difficulties. Accessing support involves a complex interplay of individual and system-level factors, yet little qualitative research has explored women’s and families’ experiences of perinatal mental health care. This thesis aimed to address this gap through two qualitative studies: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of psychosocial interventions, and semi-structured interviews with 10 perinatal women who sought mental health support from healthcare professionals. Six core themes were identified in the review (Navigating matrescence, A tapestry of relationships, The influence of a therapeutic facilitator, Invisible walls faced by participants, What works for perinatal women? and “Left hanging”). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis used in the empirical study identified three Group Experiential Themes: (1) Navigating matrescence and perinatal mental health, (2) A fragmented system and (3) Transforming perinatal mental health. Together, findings underscore the importance of accessible, relational, and holistic approaches to perinatal mental health care, alongside recognition of systemic barriers. The thesis offers evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice and future research.en
dc.description.statusNot peer revieweden
dc.description.versionAccepted Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationNí Ghráda, Á. W. 2025. Perinatal mental health: experiences of seeking and receiving healthcare intervention. DClinPsych Thesis, University College Cork.
dc.identifier.endpage229
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/17952
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherUniversity College Corken
dc.rights© 2025, Áine Ní Ghráda.
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subjectPerinatal mental health
dc.subjectPsychosocial interventions
dc.subjectHealthcare professionals
dc.subjectQualitative research
dc.subjectSystematic review
dc.subjectInterpretative Phenomenological Analysis
dc.titlePerinatal mental health: experiences of seeking and receiving healthcare intervention
dc.typeDoctoral thesisen
dc.type.qualificationlevelPractitioner Doctorateen
dc.type.qualificationnameDClinPsych - Doctor of Clinical Psychologyen
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