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Reducing depression among perinatal drug users – what is needed? A triangulated study

Gail Gilchrist (School of Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich, London, UK, and is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Primary Care Research Unit at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where this research was conducted)
Jacqui Cameron (Senior Health Consultant at LeeJenn Health Consultants and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Primary Care Research Unit at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where this research was conducted)
Susan Nicolson (The Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Australia)
Megan Galbally (The Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Australia)
Paddy Moore (Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Australia)

Advances in Dual Diagnosis

ISSN: 1757-0972

Article publication date: 16 November 2012

301

Abstract

Purpose

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Perinatal drug users are a marginalized group at risk of depression and parenting stress. This study aims to inform service development by determining key components needed to reduce depression among this population by triangulating data from qualitative interviews with service users and their care providers.

Design/methodology/approach

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Pre and post natal in‐depth qualitative interviews with drug users attending a specialist antenatal clinic in Melbourne, Australia, and their care providers were conducted; and an email survey of experts was undertaken. Twenty‐eight interviews were conducted and the views of ten experts were received. Data from these sources were triangulated to determine the key components of an intervention to reduce depression among perinatal drug users.

Findings

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There was high concordance among data sources. Key service components identified were: case management; extended postnatal care; access to mental health services and drug treatment including relapse prevention; parenting support, and housing support. Judgmental attitudes from healthcare staff and the fear of child protection may be barriers to accessing services.

Research limitations/implications

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The study findings are limited by the small sample size.

Practical implications

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Services should be enhanced in pregnancy and the early parenting years to build a service model that incorporates the key components identified in this study and supported in the literature.

Originality/value

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The originality and value of this study is that it determines the key service components needed to reduce depression among perinatal drug users by triangulating their experiences and views, that of their care providers and expert opinion.

Keywords

Citation

Gilchrist, G., Cameron, J., Nicolson, S., Galbally, M. and Moore, P. (2012), "Reducing depression among perinatal drug users – what is needed? A triangulated study", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 5 No. 4, pp. 164-175. https://doi.org/10.1108/17570971211281666

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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