“I’d probably just say that they probably just don’t care”: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Wāhine Māori of Mental Health Screening During the Perinatal Period

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For many women, having a baby is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences; however, not everyone experiences the same positivity and pleasure when pregnant or having a new baby. For some, the ongoing hormonal and physical changes, mood swings, and personal and familial situations can create a lonely experience that can lead to distress and mental health issues. Wāhine Māori (Māori women) experience greater rates of postnatal distress (PND) and are less likely to seek help than women of European descent. Screening for PND could help identify those at risk of developing mental health issues or distress before it escalates. However, it is unclear how often Māori mothers are screened, or what their experiences of screening are. METHOD: Using a Māori-centred approach, we explored the experience of wāhine Māori of mental health screening during the perinatal period. RESULTS: Eleven wāhine Māori were interviewed about their experiences, with transcripts analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes and 12 subthemes were found in the data. Participants reported feeling a lack of relationship with their midwives, experiencing inconsistent care, lacking trust, that their views were unimportant, fearing judgment, concerns about losing their children to authorities if they disclosed mood issues and a lack of culturally appropriate care. CONCLUSIONS: There was an overall sense of inadequate screening support for mental health concerns among Māori mothers in Aotearoa New Zealand. These results indicate the need for more culturally appropriate screening tools and a genuinely holistic approach to perinatal services encompassing a more whānau-centred approach to maternal care.