Supporting partners of mothers with severe mental illness through text—A feasibility study

Abstract

Objective: During the perinatal period, partners of mothers with severe mental illness (SMI) play an important role in managing the new baby and supporting the mothers’ wellbeing. Providing information via mobile phone on infant care, partner support and self-care may assist partners in their support role. Method: Partners (n = 23) of mothers with SMI were enrolled in a partner-focused SMS service sending brief texts 14 times per month for a maximum of 10 months. Partners (n = 16) were interviewed on exit and their responses analysed for acceptability and perceived usefulness of the texts. Results: Partners remained with the programme and expressed high acceptability of the texts. Participants identified effects such as increased knowledge of and interaction with their baby; effective support for their partner; and reassurance that ‘things were normal’. Few partners sought support for their own mental health. Conclusions: Texts supplied to mobile phones of partners of new mothers with SMI may increase partners’ support. The texts in this study were acceptable to partners and were reported to enhance a partner’s focus on the mother’s needs, raise the partner’s awareness of the infant’s needs, and support the partner’s confidence and competence in infant care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)University of Newcastle, Family Action Centre, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Other Publishers: Blackwell Publishing; Informa Healthcare. Release Date: 20211209. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Electronic. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: EnglishMajor Descriptor: Mental Health; Mothers; Text Messaging; Partners; Serious Mental Illness. Classification: Home Care & Hospice (3375). Population: Human (10); Male (30); Female (40). Location: Australia. Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300). Tests & Measures: Semi-Structured Interview. Methodology: Empirical Study; Interview; Qualitative Study. References Available: Y. Page Count: 4. Issue Publication Date: Oct, 2020. Copyright Statement: Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. 2020.Sponsor: Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Australia. Recipients: No recipient indicated <br />Sponsor: University of Newcastle, NSW, Family Action Centre, Australia. Recipients: No recipient indicated <br />