Burton, Leanne 
ORCID: 0000-0002-5870-4161, Charles, Juanita, Cherry, Mary Gemma, Corcoran, Rhiannon ORCID: 0000-0001-8900-9199, Hassan, Shaima ORCID: 0000-0001-7840-3342, Hill, Ruaraidh ORCID: 0000-0002-2801-0505, Little, Sarah, Maden, Michelle, Mulholland, Helen ORCID: 0000-0002-6679-7257, Perkins, Elizabeth ORCID: 0000-0002-0213-8105 et al (show 3 more authors)
(2026)
Effectiveness of peer support interventions to improve mental health outcomes after miscarriage: a systematic review and call for high-quality evidence
BMJ OPEN, 16 (6).
e109556-.
ISSN 2044-6055, 2044-6055
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Text
Effectiveness of peer support interventions to improve mental health outcomes after miscarriage a systematic review and call.pdf - Open Access published version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Objectives: Peer support is being integrated into the new maternal mental health services in England to further the development of the recovery approach in relation to loss. Psychological support after miscarriage (pregnancy loss prior to viability) is often overlooked, despite significant psychological morbidity. This systematic review explored the effectiveness of peer support interventions to improve mental health outcomes after miscarriage. Design: Systematic review Data sources: A comprehensive systematic search across nine databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science (all databases), EMBASE, CENTRAL, LENS.org, British Nursing Index and Health Management Information Consortium) was conducted in June 2025. Grey literature was identified through website searching, contact with topic experts and a national call for evidence. Eligibility criteria: Study designs with a quantitative evaluative component or mixed-methods studies reporting effectiveness were eligible if they involved women and/or partners who had experienced miscarriage and been offered a peer support intervention. Any peer support versus control (no treatment, wait list and usual care) or peer support versus another psychosocial intervention was eligible for inclusion. Studies that report any of the following broad groups of outcomes (whether validated measures or by self-report) were eligible for inclusion: (a) personal recovery, (b) mental health recovery, (c) health service use and (d) social outcomes. Data extraction and synthesis: Two independent reviewers used standardised methods to search and screen for eligible studies. Results: Of the 4342 titles screened, 100 potentially relevant full-text papers were retrieved and screened resulting in seven randomised controlled trials and two controlled trials identified across 10 papers. Of these, seven did not evaluate a peer-led intervention, one reported only on women who had experienced pregnancy loss later than 24 weeks gestation, and one reported a peer support intervention for those who experienced pregnancy loss at any age of gestation but did not disaggregate data for those who experienced miscarriage. Thus, no studies were eligible for inclusion. This indicates a significant gap in the current literature. The inconsistencies and limitations in existing research approaches are explored in detail. Conclusions: This systematic review has identified an evidence gap as there is currently no robust evidence for the effectiveness of peer support interventions after miscarriage. Given the drive for the inclusion of peer support in new maternal mental health services, there is therefore a need for targeted intervention research to provide reliable evidence to determine effective peer support interventions for this population. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024518248
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | MENTAL HEALTH, Pregnancy, Health Services, Psychosocial Intervention, Postpartum Women |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health > Primary Care & Mental Health Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health > Inst. Population Health (T&R Staff) |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Jun 2026 16:30 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Jul 2026 20:02 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-109556 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3199206 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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