A Home-Start peer support scheme for women with low mood following childbirth

Jones, Catriona C.G.; Hayter, Mark; Jomeen, Julie

Abstract

Perinatal mental health problems vary in impact and severity, and can have long-lasting effects on maternal health and child psychological health and development. The evidence to support the effectiveness of postnatal peer and volunteer support schemes to improve the long-term health of women is mixed, with some studies highlighting positive effects in terms of reducing symptoms of depression. Using data from a peer support scheme designed to support women with low mood following childbirth, this paper provides insight into the initial support needs of women, alongside the challenges of using volunteer and peer support services. This paper provides health visitors and others working in community settings with an understanding of how volunteer befriending services may, or may not work in community settings. The data suggests that Home-Start does have a positive impact on the lives of some women, however more work is required in order to understand which aspects of the Home-Start intervention women find effective and why.

Citation

Jones, C. C., Hayter, M., & Jomeen, J. (2015). A Home-Start peer support scheme for women with low mood following childbirth. Community Practitioner, 88(9), 41-44

• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2016
• Journal: Community practitioner
• Print ISSN: 1462-2815
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 88
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 41-44
• Keywords: Peer support, Postnatal depression, Women, Evaluation, Intervention, Volunteers, Family support
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/437298
• Additional Information: This is an authors accepted manuscript of an article published in Community practitioner, 2015, v.88 issue 9.
• Contract Date: Apr 28, 2016