Perinatal Mental Health Evidence Mapping

University of Oxford, Centre for Personalised Medicine (CPM) in collaboration with University of York, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD)

Update, June 2023

Context
We are working to produce an evidence map through thematic analyses of identified systematic reviews, detailed overviews of systematic reviews, updating of evidence syntheses, and further evidence mapping and/or systematic reviews to include primary research. After completion of this initial work, at the end of July 2023, further discussion and stakeholder interviews will take place with key informants.

Background
Perinatal mental health problems occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. They covering a wide range of conditions including antenatal and post-natal depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum psychosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Left untreated, these problems can have a long term impact on the parents, the child, and the wider family. This piece of research aims to begin to explore its incidence, prevalence and global impact by mapping existing evidence.

Aims and objectives
The aim of the current phase of the work is to demonstrate the breadth of evidence already available from Systematic Reviews (SRs) in the field of perinatal mental health and to help consider where further investment might be of value.

Specifically, the objectives of this work are to help:
 Highlight areas that would benefit from further exploration (for example, through thematic analysis of SR)
 Identify areas where further searches for primary research would be of value
 Highlight important gaps in the evidence base that might be addressed by future research
 Demonstrate where systematic review knowledge might be better mobilised.

Search methods and sources
Initial scoping work was undertaken to explore the number of systematic reviews available to inform
decision-making. References appeared to fall into around seven broad categories as follows:
 Prevention and treatment
 Descriptions/evaluations of service design/organisation
 Barriers, facilitators, experiences
 Generalisability of evidence
 Measurement
 Aetiology, incidence and prevalence
 Impact on offspring outcomes

People involved

Professor Rachel Churchill
Rachel is a Professor in Evidence Synthesis within CRD. A psychiatric epidemiologist and mental health services researcher, she is dedicated to improving healthcare decision-making with people experiencing mental health problems. She works in methodological development (design, conduct, reporting and implementation of evidence synthesis), as well as knowledge translation and mobilisation.

Professor Jane Hirst
Jane is an academic obstetrician at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on global perinatal health, specifically gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia, preterm birth, stillbirth, anaemia, sepsis and preventing the lifelong effects of these pregnancy complications.

Professor Anneke Lucassen
Anneke runs an interdisciplinary research group exploring ethical, legal and social aspects of personalising medicine at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (WHG), University of Oxford. She is the Director of the CPM, a partnership between the WHG and St Anne’s College, Oxford, which is a communication, engagement and research vehicle for students, academics, clinicians, the public and policy makers to explore the benefits and challenges of personalised medicine.

Dr Kate Lyle
Kate is a Senior Research Fellow in Anneke’s group. Kate is a sociologist and her research focuses on exploring the relations between people, innovations, and the socio-technical networks in which they exist, and how this knowledge can be applied to improve experiences of healthcare delivery for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Dr David Marshall
David is a Research Fellow for Evidence Synthesis within CRD. His main interests are in autism spectrum disorder, mental health and education.

Dr Susie Weller
Susie is also a Senior Research Fellow in Anneke’s group. She is a social scientist whose research interests have included: familial relationships; youth transitions; caring relations, identities and practices; patient journeys; and the wider impacts of health conditions and interventions. Much of this research has been with children, youth and families. Susie is also a CPM Research Fellow.