Teenage mothers of black and minority ethnic origin want access to a range of mental and physical health support

A participatory research approach

Bibliographic Data

ID19505852
AuthorsMaria Muzik (0000-0002-8429-3212, Department of Psychiatry University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USA), Rosalind Kirk (Department of Psychiatry University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USA), Emily Alfafara (Department of Psychiatry University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USA), Jennifer Jonika (Starfish Family Services Livonia MI USA), Rachel Waddell (0000-0002-1849-688X, Department of Psychiatry University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USA)
Year2016
Volume19
Issue2
Pages403-415
Publication date2016-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.12364
PMID25824153
OpenAlexW2120497961
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited30

BACKGROUND: In high risk, economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, such as those primarily resident by black and minority ethnic groups (BME), teenage pregnancies are relatively more frequent. Such families often have limited access to and/or knowledge of services, including prenatal and post-partum physical and mental health support. OBJECTIVE: To explore preferences held by vulnerable young mothers of BME origin and those close to them about existing and desired perinatal health services. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Drawing on a community-based participatory approach, a community steering committee with local knowledge and experience of teenage parenthood shaped and managed an exploratory qualitative study. In collaboration with a local agency and academic research staff, community research assistants conducted two focus groups with 19 members and 21 individual semi-structured interviews with young mothers of BME origin and their friends or relatives. These were coded, thematically analysed, interpreted and subsequently triangulated through facilitator and participant review and discussion. RESULTS: Despite perceptions of a prevalent local culture of mistrust and suspicion, a number of themes and accompanying recommendations emerged. These included a lack of awareness by mothers of BME origin about current perinatal health services, as well as programme inaccessibility and inadequacy. There was a desire to engage with a continuum of comprehensive and well-publicized, family-focused perinatal health services. Participants wanted inclusion of maternal mental health and parenting support that addressed the whole family. CONCLUSIONS: It is both ethical and equitable that comprehensive perinatal services are planned and developed following consultation and participation of knowledgeable community members including young mothers of BME origin, family and friends

Community-based participatory research · Disadvantaged · Ethnic group · Facilitator · Focus group · Mental health · Participatory action research · Political science · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Child Abuse and Trauma · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology

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