Experiences of Perinatal Mental Health Care among Minority Ethnic Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in London: A Qualitative Study

Pilav, Sabrina, Easter, Abigail, Silverio, Sergio A ORCID: 0000-0001-7177-3471, De Backer, Kaat, Sundaresh, Sushma, Roberts, Sara and Howard, Louise M (2022) Experiences of Perinatal Mental Health Care among Minority Ethnic Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in London: A Qualitative Study INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 19 (4). 1975-. ISSN 1661-7827, 1660-4601

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Abstract

(1) Background: Approximately one in five women will experience mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. Women from ethnic minority backgrounds face a variety of barriers that can prevent or delay access to appropriate perinatal mental health care. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions created additional obstacles for this group of women. This study aims to explore minority ethnic women’s experiences of perinatal mental health services during COVID-19 in London. (2) Methods: Eighteen women from ethnic minority backgrounds were interviewed, and data were subject to a thematic analysis. (3) Results: Three main themes were identified, each with two sub-themes: ‘Difficulties and Disruptions to Access’ (Access to Appointments; Pandemic Restrictions and Disruption), ‘Experiences of Remote Delivery’ (Preference for Face-to-Face Contact; Advantages of Remote Support); and ‘Psychosocial Experiences’ linked to COVID-19 (Heightened Anxiety; Social Isolation). (4) Conclusions: Women from ethnic minority backgrounds experienced disrupted perinatal mental health care and COVID-19 restrictions compounding their mental health difficulties. Services should take women’s circumstances into account and provide flexibility regarding remote delivery of care.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	COVID-19, perinatal mental health, minority ethnic women, maternity services, qualitative analysis
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	25 May 2022 11:27
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 13:09
DOI:	10.3390/ijerph19041975
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19041975
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3155477
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