Perinatal mental health, ecological systems, and social support: Refugee women and facilitated playgroup

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Abstract

We sought to gain an understanding of refugee women’s experiences through an interpretative phenomenological methodology. Challenging the lack of research on group-based informal supports for refugee women, we examined the role of playgroup in contributing to social support, the effects of playgroup across all ecological systems, and mothers’ experiences of perinatal mental health issues (PMHI). A focus group and follow-up interviews with the women, staff, and stakeholders gave the opportunity to share their narratives. These information-rich descriptions of their experience helped us explore complex and multifaceted concepts, including PMHI and social support, to show how refugee women ascribe meanings to PMHI within a facilitated playgroup context. In applying Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (BEST), we found that the women’s microsystems were lost in re-settlement, and they experienced feelings of shame and stigma around PMHI through macrosystem influences. Playgroup became a supportive mesosystem, where the women came together through shared understanding and were able to build new microsystems. Our research will assist in advocating for playgroups and other informal support programs by examining in detail how they can provide valuable insight for other refugee women experiencing PMHI in similar circumstances.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What Works to Improve Maternal Mental Health Outcomes for Refugees?

This evidence summary summarizes the state of available evidence on the impacts of interventions targeting the reduction of adverse mental health symptoms in expectant or new mothers. This summary includes interventions that are either directly impacting the mothers or aiming to increase rates of screening by medical providers.

About this study

AGE: Adults

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

HOST COUNTRY: Australia

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

OUTCOME AREA: Mental Health

POPULATION: Refugees

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2014

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