Autistic people's experiences of perinatal mental healthcare V2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Autistic Mothers' and Birthing Peoples' Experiences of Perinatal Mental Health Care: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
IRAS ID
337360
Contact name
Emma Armstrong
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 21 days
Research summary
The perinatal period refers to pregnancy and the first 12 months after child birth. The literature reports that autistic mothers are more likely to face challenges during this time, whilst navigating sensory and physical experiences, and communicating with professionals. This can result in motherhood feeling isolating, placing this population at increased risk of perinatal mental health (PMH) difficulties. This research aims to add to the literature by exploring autistic women and birthing people's experiences of PMH difficulties, specifically focussing on their experiences of mental health care. 8-12 women and birthing people, over the age of 18, who have experienced PMH difficulties and have received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will be recruited. Recruitment will start through NHS PMH Services. Services who have expressed an interest in supporting recruitment for the study are the North Yorkshire and York NHS Community PMH Service, Durham and Darlington NHS Community PMH Service, Teesside NHS Community PMH Service, Derbyshire NHS Community PMH Service and South West Yorkshire NHS Community PMH Service. Information of the study will be advertised to all service users who are accessing the service or have accessed the service. Participants will self-identify their eligibility and contact the researcher if interested in the project. If required, recruitment may be broadened to those who have not accessed NHS PMH services. Participants who consent to taking part will be interviewed by the researcher using a semi-structured interview schedule about their experiences of PMH difficulties and care they received. The interview will take approximately 60 minutes in a location preferred to the participant, either online, at the University of Sheffield or at their PMH service. The interview data will be typed up and analysed using a qualitative method called Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). This is as part of a project for a doctorate qualification.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
24/NS/0009
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion