The feasibility of a new group intervention to treat postpartum PTSD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The feasibility and acceptability of a psycho-education and compassion resilience group as part of a phase-based treatment for postpartum PTSD and outcomes for mother and child
IRAS ID
289309
Contact name
Sacha Elledge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Postpartum PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) as a result of a traumatic birth is relatively common in the population, but there are few therapeutic interventions available. This study aims to trial a new psycho-education and compassionate resilience course as part of a phase based treatment for individuals presenting with postpartum PTSD and high levels of self-criticism. The service delivering this intervention currently offers a similar compassionate resilience course as part of a phase based treatment for individuals presenting with complex PTSD and high levels of self-criticism. The service now wishes to offer a modified version of this group for individuals with postpartum PTSD and high levels of self-criticism. The group will be based on compassion-focused therapy and run by a clinical psychologist. It aims to help to educate individuals about compassion and how trauma disrupts the ability to be compassionate, as well as teaching techniques to improve self-compassion.
The intervention will be 12 weeks long and is hoping to run in autumn 2021 at the Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service or over a video conferencing platform, dependent on COVID-19. 10 people will be invited to take part, all of who were referred for birth trauma treatment. The service psychologist will identify group members who would benefit from this intervention to increase self-compassion. This group will run regardless of whether individuals wish to partake in the research study. All group members will be invited to take part in the study.
This research proposes a feasibility study to understand qualitatively how the client group experiences the intervention and whether the group should continue to be run in the future. It is hoped that the group will help to decrease self-attacking thoughts and indirectly improve symptoms of PTSD.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0411
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion