New Project Investigates How to Improve Mother’s Psychological Health
New mothers can access free online self-care resources to assist them in dealing with the challenges of motherhood. They gave the courses as part of an ongoing research trial by The University of Queensland.
The program is examining better ways to tend to the psychological well-being of the mothers, specifically in supporting them in managing difficult thoughts and emotions regarding their childbirth, as well as very early feeding experiences.
UQ’s Faculty of Medicine researcher and clinical psychologist therapist, Dr. Koa Whittingham, is supervising the next project phase with Master of Clinical Psychology student Laynee Brophy.
The challenges of maternity
“Maternity can be a challenging and also hard time as new mothers learn to adapt and deal. And these online resources, which the mothers can access in the house, tackle a lot of the concerns they face,” Dr. Whittingham claimed.
The staff is interested in building on our previous research study on self-compassion. And we are currently aiming to test new resources which focus on self-care via living meaningfully.
This implies having a solid sense of what really matters to you personally. As well as finding ways to translate that into action.
Living meaningfully can consist of the big things like core parenting choices, along with tiny day-to-day details like remembering to play your favorite song or going for a walk in the park.
“To make the research representative, we want to listen to all mothers. No matter whether they are facing challenges or not.”
Investigating motherhood
All participants will complete two online surveys eight weeks apart. Which will allow the scientists to determine precisely what effect the resources have on the mothers’ well-being.
Participants will receive SMS reminders to help them take the most out of the resources. Which can be accessed numerous times throughout the research study and six months after its conclusion.
This study adds to a previous Australia-wide research study trial which revealed simple online resources advertising self-compassion make a positive difference to mothers.
Relief for new mothers
Dr. Amy Mitchell from UQ’s Institution of Psychology and Griffith University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery claimed moms from previous trials reported less depressive and traumatic symptoms in both years after birth.
“Importantly, mothers also found it easier to accept compassion from people around them, as well as to show compassion to themselves in little ways.”
“We know mums tend to put themselves last and feel they have to struggle on alone and that just doesn’t work.“
Dr Amy Mitchell from UQ’s School of Psychology and Griffith University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery
After signing up and finishing an online survey, participants will have a 50 percent opportunity of being randomly assigned to receive immediate access to the online resources.
The remainder of the participants will receive accessibility to the resources after eight weeks.
Participants must be over 18, living in Australia or New Zealand, and also have delivered in the last two years.
Read the original article on News Medical.
Read more: Midwives Need a Useable Past to Form Their Future.
