TY - JOUR

T1 - First-time mothersʼ experiences with a web- intervention on maternal mentalisation and mental health

AU - Lorenzen , Johanne

AU - Benedikte , Ryhl

AU - de Voss, Sarah Strøyer

AU - Overbeck, Gritt

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - INTRODUCTION. Development in infancy and early childhood affects mental and physical health later in life. Maternal mentalhealth and attachment between mother and child are important for a healthy development. This qualitative study exploredfirst-time mothers’ experiences with a web-based intervention aimed at improving maternal mentalisation skills and mentalhealth, thereby affecting child development. METHODS. Twelve first-time mothers were interviewed about their experiences using the website. RESULTS. During pregnancy, the mothers were positive towards using the web-intervention to find information and supportfor emotional challenges related to the transition to motherhood. However, the interest decreased after giving birth. The mothers requested a website that covered both physical and mental aspects of motherhood and provided a possibility for mothers to exchange experiences to normalise challenges. Moreover, they wanted the website to be easily accessible on asmartphone. CONCLUSION. First-time mothers experienced a need for emotional support during their transition to motherhood and were positive towards using online solutions to obtain this support. In order to be integrated into mothers’ everyday life, theintervention should be an ‘all-in-one’ solution, covering both physical and mental aspects of motherhood and infancy, includea chat forum and be easily accessible by smartphone app.FUNDING. TRYG Foundation and KEU, Capital Region of Denmark.

AB - INTRODUCTION. Development in infancy and early childhood affects mental and physical health later in life. Maternal mentalhealth and attachment between mother and child are important for a healthy development. This qualitative study exploredfirst-time mothers’ experiences with a web-based intervention aimed at improving maternal mentalisation skills and mentalhealth, thereby affecting child development. METHODS. Twelve first-time mothers were interviewed about their experiences using the website. RESULTS. During pregnancy, the mothers were positive towards using the web-intervention to find information and supportfor emotional challenges related to the transition to motherhood. However, the interest decreased after giving birth. The mothers requested a website that covered both physical and mental aspects of motherhood and provided a possibility for mothers to exchange experiences to normalise challenges. Moreover, they wanted the website to be easily accessible on asmartphone. CONCLUSION. First-time mothers experienced a need for emotional support during their transition to motherhood and were positive towards using online solutions to obtain this support. In order to be integrated into mothers’ everyday life, theintervention should be an ‘all-in-one’ solution, covering both physical and mental aspects of motherhood and infancy, includea chat forum and be easily accessible by smartphone app.FUNDING. TRYG Foundation and KEU, Capital Region of Denmark.

KW - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

KW - Complex Intervention

KW - Psychosocial wellbeing

M3 - Journal article

VL - 70

JO - Danish Medical Journal

JF - Danish Medical Journal

SN - 2245-1919

IS - 10

M1 - A12220775

ER -