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Fernandez-Pineda M, Swift A, Dolbier C, Banasiewicz KG. Compounding stress: A mixed-methods study on the psychological experience of miscarriage amid the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:426. [PMID: 38872085 PMCID: PMC11170813 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06610-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experiencing a miscarriage can have profound psychological implications, and the added strain of the COVID-19 pandemic may have compounded these effects. This study aimed to explore the psychological experiences, assess the levels of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder), and examine the relationships of personal significance of miscarriage and perceived stress with psychological distress of women in North Carolina who suffered a miscarriage of a desired pregnancy between March 30, 2020, and February 24, 2021, of the COVID-19 pandemic, at 14 to 31 months after the loss. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods study using a convergent parallel design. A total of 71 participants from North Carolina completed the online survey and 18 completed in-depth interviews. The survey assessed demographics, mental health and reproductive history, personal significance of miscarriage, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Interview questions asked about the psychological experience of the miscarriage and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected them and their experience. RESULTS Findings indicated moderate to severe levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which persisted 14 to 31 months post-miscarriage. After conducting hierarchical binary logistic regressions, we found that perceived stress and prior trauma increased the odds of depression, perceived stress increased the odds of anxiety, and personal significance and prior trauma increased the odds of PTSD symptoms 14-31 months post-miscarriage. Notably, a subsequent successful childbirth emerged as a protective factor against depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Qualitative findings depicted emotions such as profound isolation, guilt, and grief. Women noted that additional pandemic-specific stressors exacerbated their distress. The categories identified via conventional content analysis fell under five broader thematic groups: mental health disorders, negative emotions/feelings, positive emotions/feelings, thoughts, and other experiences. CONCLUSIONS Miscarriage during the COVID-19 pandemic intensified and added complexity to the psychological distress experienced by affected women. The study underscores the need for comprehensive mental health screenings, specialized support for vulnerable groups, and the necessity of trauma-informed care. Providers are strongly encouraged to adopt a multifaceted, individualized approach to patient care that is cognizant of the unique stressors introduced by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Fernandez-Pineda
- College of Nursing, Department of Nursing Science, East Carolina University, 2205 W 5th St, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
| | - Alison Swift
- College of Nursing, Department of Advanced Nursing Practice and Education, East Carolina University, 2205 W 5th St, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Christyn Dolbier
- Department of Psychology, East Carolina University, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, 104 Rawl Building, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
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Houle SA, Ein N, Gervasio J, Plouffe RA, Litz BT, Carleton RN, Hansen KT, Liu JJW, Ashbaugh AR, Callaghan W, Thompson MM, Easterbrook B, Smith-MacDonald L, Rodrigues S, Bélanger SAH, Bright K, Lanius RA, Baker C, Younger W, Bremault-Phillips S, Hosseiny F, Richardson JD, Nazarov A. Measuring moral distress and moral injury: A systematic review and content analysis of existing scales. Clin Psychol Rev 2024; 108:102377. [PMID: 38218124 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) are related constructs describing the negative consequences of morally challenging stressors. Despite growing support for the clinical relevance of these constructs, ongoing challenges regarding measurement quality risk limiting research and clinical advances. This study summarizes the nature, quality, and utility of existing MD and MI scales, and provides recommendations for future use. METHOD We identified psychometric studies describing the development or validation of MD or MI scales and extracted information on methodological and psychometric qualities. Content analyses identified specific outcomes measured by each scale. RESULTS We reviewed 77 studies representing 42 unique scales. The quality of psychometric approaches varied greatly across studies, and most failed to examine convergent and divergent validity. Content analyses indicated most scales measure exposures to potential moral stressors and outcomes together, with relatively few measuring only exposures (n = 3) or outcomes (n = 7). Scales using the term MD typically assess general distress. Scales using the term MI typically assess several specific outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Results show how the terms MD and MI are applied in research. Several scales were identified as appropriate for research and clinical use. Recommendations for the application, development, and validation of MD and MI scales are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Houle
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Research Directorate, Veterans Affairs Canada, Charlottetown, Canada
| | - Natalie Ein
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Julia Gervasio
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - Rachel A Plouffe
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Brett T Litz
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University, Boston, USA; Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | | | - Kevin T Hansen
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - Jenny J W Liu
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | | | - Walter Callaghan
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Bethany Easterbrook
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Sara Rodrigues
- The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Clara Baker
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - William Younger
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | | | | | - J Don Richardson
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada; St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, St. Joseph's Health Care London, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Anthony Nazarov
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
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Manzo LL, Dindinger RA, Batten J, Combellick JL, Basile-Ibrahim B. The Impact of Military Trauma Exposures on Servicewomen's Pregnancy Outcomes: A Scoping Review. J Midwifery Womens Health 2024. [PMID: 38384111 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Active-duty servicewomen and veterans make up nearly 20% of the United States military and may experience trauma specific to military service. Military-specific trauma includes combat deployment and military sexual trauma, exposure to which may result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the extent to which military trauma exposures impact the pregnancy outcomes of active-duty servicewomen and women veterans. METHODS A systematic search of OVID MEDLINE, OVID Embase, and OVID PsycINFO from inception to September 25, 2023, identified studies examining associations between military trauma exposures and perinatal outcomes. Of the 614 studies identified, 464 were reviewed for relevance, with 16 meeting inclusion criteria. RESULTS Of the 16 included studies, 14 found associations between military trauma exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, low birth weight, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes increased with the severity of PTSD, the recency of combat deployment, and repetitive deployment. DISCUSSION This scoping review strengthens the link between trauma exposures and adverse pregnancy outcomes for current and former military servicewomen. A gap in the literature persists regarding trauma exposure among active-duty servicewomen, which differs significantly from women veterans. As mental health conditions are the leading underlying cause of maternal mortality, standardized screening during the perinatal period for military-specific trauma exposures and PTSD is recommended for this population. Black servicewomen of junior enlisted rank carry disproportionate burdens of PTSD diagnosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Comprehensive prenatal and postpartum management may improve perinatal and neonatal outcomes for military servicewomen and provide an innovative approach to reducing existing racial disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Manzo
- US Army, AMEDD Student Detachment, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
- Yale School of Nursing, Orange, Connecticut
| | | | - Janene Batten
- Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Joan L Combellick
- PRIME Center, Health Services Research & Development, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Nursing, Orange, Connecticut
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Combellick JL, Basile Ibrahim B, Esmaeili A, Phibbs CS, Johnson AM, Patton EW, Manzo L, Haskell SG. Improving the Maternity Care Safety Net: Establishing Maternal Mortality Surveillance for Non-Obstetric Providers and Institutions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 21:37. [PMID: 38248502 PMCID: PMC10815856 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The siloed nature of maternity care has been noted as a system-level factor negatively impacting maternal outcomes. Veterans Health Administration (VA) provides multi-specialty healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy but purchases obstetric care from community providers. VA providers may be unaware of perinatal complications, while community-based maternity care providers may be unaware of upstream factors affecting the pregnancy. To optimize maternal outcomes, the VA has initiated a system-level surveillance and review process designed to improve non-obstetric care for veterans experiencing a pregnancy. This quality improvement project aimed to describe the VA-based maternal mortality review process and to report maternal mortality (pregnancy-related death up to 42 days postpartum) and pregnancy-associated mortality (death from any cause up to 1 year postpartum) among veterans who use VA maternity care benefits. Pregnancies and pregnancy-associated deaths between fiscal year (FY) 2011-2020 were identified from national VA databases. All deaths underwent individual chart review and abstraction that focused on multi-specialty care received at the VA in the year prior to pregnancy until the time of death. Thirty-two pregnancy-associated deaths were confirmed among 39,720 pregnancies (PAMR = 80.6 per 100,000 live births). Fifty percent of deaths occurred among individuals who had experienced adverse social determinants of health. Mental health conditions affected 81%. Half (n = 16, 50%) of all deaths occurred in the late postpartum period (43-365 days postpartum) after maternity care had ended. More than half of these late postpartum deaths (n = 9, 56.2%) were related to suicide, homicide, or overdose. Integration of care delivered during the perinatal period (pregnancy through postpartum) from primary, mental health, emergency, and specialty care providers may be enhanced through a system-based approach to pregnancy-associated death surveillance and review. This quality improvement project has implications for all healthcare settings where coordination between obstetric and non-obstetric providers is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan L. Combellick
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Women’s Health, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420, USA; (A.M.J.); (E.W.P.); (S.G.H.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA; (B.B.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Bridget Basile Ibrahim
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA; (B.B.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Aryan Esmaeili
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Menlo Park 795 Willow Road, Palo Alto, CA 94025, USA; (A.E.); (C.S.P.)
| | - Ciaran S. Phibbs
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Menlo Park 795 Willow Road, Palo Alto, CA 94025, USA; (A.E.); (C.S.P.)
- Departments of Pediatrics and Health Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, 453 Quarry Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Amanda M. Johnson
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Women’s Health, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420, USA; (A.M.J.); (E.W.P.); (S.G.H.)
| | - Elizabeth Winston Patton
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Women’s Health, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420, USA; (A.M.J.); (E.W.P.); (S.G.H.)
- VA Boston Health Care System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, 771 Albany St, Dowling 4, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Laura Manzo
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA; (B.B.I.); (L.M.)
- US Army, AMEDD Student Detachment, 187th Medical Battalion, Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
| | - Sally G. Haskell
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Women’s Health, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420, USA; (A.M.J.); (E.W.P.); (S.G.H.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- School of Medicine, Yale University, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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Shapiro MO, Kroll-Desrosiers A, Mattocks KM. Understanding the Mental Health Impact of Previous Pregnancy Loss Among Currently Pregnant Veterans. Womens Health Issues 2023; 33:422-427. [PMID: 37100719 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth, is common and associated with an increased risk for prenatal and postnatal depression, as well as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Racial disparities have been observed in pregnancy loss, with Black women having higher rates of pregnancy loss and postnatal depression. However, no research to date has examined the mental health and demographic correlates of pregnancy loss within a veteran population. METHOD The current study examined associations between pregnancy loss and mental health and demographic correlates among 1,324 pregnant veterans, of which 368 had a history of at least one stillbirth and/or miscarriage. RESULTS Veterans with a history of pregnancy loss, compared with those without, were more likely to have a diagnosis of anxiety (52.7% vs. 46.4%, p = .04), depression (62.5% vs. 50.8%, p = .0001), or PTSD (46.5% vs. 37.6%, p = .003); were more likely to report receiving mental health care during pregnancy (23.1% vs. 16.8%, p = .01); and were more likely to have experienced military sexual trauma (harassment: 56.5% vs. 49.9%, p = .04; rape: 38.9% vs. 29.3%, p = .0004). Results also indicated that Black veterans were more likely to report a history of pregnancy loss (32.1% vs. 25.3%, p = .01). Further, Black veterans were more likely to experience clinically meaningful prenatal depression symptoms (adjusted odds ratio: 1.90; 95% confidence interval: 1.42-2.54) after accounting for past loss and age in logistic regression models. DISCUSSION Taken together, findings from the present investigation corroborate previous research highlighting the deleterious impact of pregnancy loss and extend prior work by examining these associations among a diverse sample of pregnant veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary O Shapiro
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana; South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana.
| | - Aimee Kroll-Desrosiers
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, Massachusetts; Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Kristin M Mattocks
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, Massachusetts; Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
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6
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Parry KJ, Hicken BL, Chen W, Leng J, Allen S, Burningham Z. Impact of moral injury and posttraumatic stress disorder on health care utilization and suicidality in rural and urban veterans. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:117-128. [PMID: 36330588 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This study explored the impact of moral injury (MI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on health care utilization, mental health complexity, and suicidality in rural and urban veterans. Analyses combined data from the Salt Lake City PTSD Clinic Intake Database and the Department of Veterans Affairs Corporate Data Warehouse. Participants (N = 1,545; Mage = 45.9 years) were predominately male (88.3%) and White (87.8%). Adjusted analyses indicated associations between a 1-unit increase in Moral Injury Events Scale (MIES) score and increased mental health complexity, RR = 1.01, 95% CI [1.01, 1.02], p < .001; psychotropic medication utilization, RR = 1.01, 95% CI [1.01, 1.03], p < .001; VA drug class count, RR = 1.01, 95% CI [1.00, 1.01], p = .030; outpatient utilization, RR = 1.01, 95% CI [1.01, 1.02], p < .001; and mental health outpatient utilization, RR = 1.01, 95% CI [1.00, 1.03], p < .001. For the MIES x PTSD interaction, all associations remained statistically significant with similar estimated effects. However, for rural veterans, this interaction did not significantly affect utilization. Among those with PTSD, a 1-unit MIES increase was associated with an increased risk of suicidality, OR = 1.02, 95% CI [1.01, 1.04], and psychiatric admission, OR = 1.02, 95% CI [1.00, 1.04]. Findings suggest that higher MIES scores predict increased health care utilization and mental health complexity. Further, PTSD combined with higher MIES scores may increase the risk of suicidality and psychiatric admission. Rural veterans with PTSD and higher MIES scores may require additional outreach and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimber J Parry
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Bret L Hicken
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- VA Salt Lake City Medical Center, Health Services Research and Development, Information, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Science Center of Innovation, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Jianwei Leng
- VA Salt Lake City Medical Center, Health Services Research and Development, Information, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Science Center of Innovation, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Steven Allen
- George E. Whalen Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City PTSD Clinic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Zachary Burningham
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,VA Salt Lake City Medical Center, Health Services Research and Development, Information, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Science Center of Innovation, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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7
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Shorey S, Wong PZE. Vicarious Trauma Experienced by Health Care Providers Involved in Traumatic Childbirths: A Meta-Synthesis. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2022; 23:1585-1598. [PMID: 33945337 DOI: 10.1177/15248380211013135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Health care providers are often "second victims" of traumatic childbirth events and should be adequately supported by their organizations to alleviate occupational stress and burnout. Therefore, this review aimed to explore and understand the vicarious traumatic childbirth experiences of health care providers, including obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and students. A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted. Seven electronic databases, namely, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from each database's inception to May 2020. In total, 1,575 studies were retrieved and screened according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Seventeen studies were included in this review and were meta-summarized and then meta-synthesized using the Sandelowski and Barroso approach. The overarching theme of "Tunneling through the trauma with a hope of finding an end" was derived, and four main themes along with 15 subthemes were identified. The four main themes were (1) "instantaneous response to the trauma," (2) "finding hope in the midst of chaos," (3) "dealing with the aftermath," and (4) "resolution to move on." Communication and teamwork among health care team members were identified as challenges contributed by professional hierarchy and lack of role clarity. Midwives and labor and delivery nurses expressed powerlessness in advocating for women on many occasions, and health care providers often had feelings of guilt and self-blame after adverse events. Health care providers also reported inadequate support from their colleagues and organizations, which influenced their ability to cope with the aftermath of trauma and their decision to stay in the profession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shefaly Shorey
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 37580National University of Singapore, Level 2, Clinical Research Centre, Singapore
| | - Phyllis Zhi En Wong
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 37580National University of Singapore, Level 2, Clinical Research Centre, Singapore
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Sheahan KL, Kroll-Desrosiers A, Goldstein KM, Sheahan MM, Oumarou A, Mattocks K. Sufficiency of Health Information During Pregnancy: What's Missing and for Whom? A Cross-Sectional Analysis Among Veterans. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2022; 31:1557-1566. [PMID: 35404136 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Women Veterans often experience trauma and physical and mental health conditions that increase risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Information provision during pregnancy may facilitate improved outcomes. However, little evidence exists about information women Veterans receive during pregnancy, and their perceptions of it. Materials and Methods: We recruited pregnant Veterans from 15 Veterans Affairs medical centers. Through telephone surveys, women (N = 851) provided information about sociodemographic characteristics, military service, health, and pregnancy experiences. We asked postpartum women whether, during pregnancy, they received sufficient information about nine health topics. We calculated a composite score (range: 0-9) that reflected sufficiency of information received. Multivariable logistic regression models identified determinants of perceived sufficiency of information. Results: Mean age was 32.1 years. Most reported being White (56.3%), non-Hispanic (80.3%), married/living with a partner (85.1%), and employed (54.4%). Most (54.6%) had been diagnosed with depression (54.6%); one-quarter reported current depressive symptoms. Mean sufficiency of information score was 6.9. Topics that women most reported they did not receive sufficient information on included, what to expect during delivery (32.3%) and how their spouse/partner might support them during labor (40.3%). History of depression (β = -0.35, p = 0.03), current depressive symptoms (β = -0.66, p = 0.001), military sexual trauma (β = 0.37, p = 0.03), and experience of violence (β = 0.66, p = 0.03) were associated with lower sufficiency of information scores. Conclusion: Results indicate need for enhanced and tailored provision of information for Veterans during pregnancy, particularly among those with experience of trauma, past depression diagnoses, and current depressive symptoms. This may include optimizing care coordination and increasing access to childbirth education classes and doula support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Sheahan
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Health Services Research and Development, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aimee Kroll-Desrosiers
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karen M Goldstein
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Health Services Research and Development, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Annie Oumarou
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Health Services Research and Development, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristin Mattocks
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Miller LJ, Rowlands S, Esposito L, Altemus M, Strauss JL. The Veterans Health Administration Reproductive Mental Health Consultation Program: an Innovation to Improve Access to Specialty Care. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:833-836. [PMID: 36042089 PMCID: PMC9481837 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07583-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Miller
- Women's Mental Health, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington DC, USA. .,Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA.
| | - Sandy Rowlands
- Women's Mental Health, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington DC, USA
| | | | - Margaret Altemus
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jennifer L Strauss
- Women's Mental Health, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington DC, USA.,Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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10
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Secondary Qualitative Analysis of Moral Injury in Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2022; 51:166-176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jogn.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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11
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Conard PL, Keller MJ, Armstrong ML. The Risks, Invisibility, and Health Issues Facing Women Veterans Who Are Homeless. Nurs Womens Health 2021; 25:471-481. [PMID: 34736917 DOI: 10.1016/j.nwh.2021.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Women veterans may experience a variety of traumatizing events and conditions before, during, and after their military service, such as intimate partner violence, military sexual trauma, moral injury, and posttraumatic stress disorder. These experiences put them at greater risk for significant behavioral and physical health sequelae, which can be associated with difficulty with civilian reintegration and complexities around homelessness. Homeless women military veterans are often uncounted, undergo different environmental situations than their male counterparts, and are vulnerable to sexual violence and unintended pregnancies. Identifying homeless women military veterans is an important first step; otherwise, they remain "invisible." Comprehensive, collaborative, interdisciplinary health care in which trust is established and care is holistic and individualized will produce the most optimal outcomes.
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12
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Predictors of Early Postpartum Maternal Functioning Among Women Veterans. Matern Child Health J 2021; 26:149-155. [PMID: 34626289 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-021-03241-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The perinatal period constitutes an important window of opportunity for optimizing healthy development of offspring but is heavily influenced by maternal mental health. Maternal pregnancy-related anxiety (PrA), depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been implicated in adverse outcomes for both mother and child. The current study examined whether psychopathology during pregnancy and postpartum was associated with greater experienced parenting stress and bonding difficulties in women veterans, who may be predisposed to develop psychopathology due to heightened risk of exposure to traumatic events. METHODS Pregnant veterans (N = 28) completed self-report questionnaires regarding their PrA, depression and PTSD symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as on their experience of parenting stress and bonding with their infant. RESULTS PrA was a more robust predictor of postpartum depression (PPD) than depression during pregnancy. PPD, in turn, was significantly associated with bonding and parenting stress, such that more depressed mothers were more likely to experience greater general bonding difficulties, increased rejections and pathological anger towards their infants, greater anxiety towards their infants, and more parenting stress. CONCLUSIONS PrA might be a high-yield modifiable risk factor in the prevention of PPD for women veterans and their subsequent experiences with high parenting stress and bonding difficulties.
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Are alterations in estradiol, cortisol, and inflammatory cytokines associated with depression during pregnancy and postpartum? An exploratory study. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 16:100309. [PMID: 34589801 PMCID: PMC8474549 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pregnant veterans are a subpopulation known to be at elevated risk of developing mental health symptoms, such as depression and suicidal ideation. Inflammation has been associated with depression, specifically during the perinatal period. Critical changes in estradiol, cortisol, and inflammatory cytokines are necessary for the progression of a healthy pregnancy, which are then rapidly altered in the postpartum period. We explored changes in estradiol, cortisol, and pro-inflammatory cytokines relative to depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts across pregnancy and postpartum in this pilot and feasibility study. Methods We measured estradiol, cortisol, and the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in 18 pregnant veterans and analyzed the data using descriptive statistics, dependent t-tests, and correlation analyses. We assessed depression severity with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and suicidality with the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Thirteen of the women repeated assessments in the early postpartum period at an average of 6.7 weeks after birth. Results As anticipated, estradiol (t(12) = 12.47, p < .001) and cortisol (t(12) = 9.43, p < .001) significantly decreased from pregnancy to postpartum. There were no differences in the means of gestational and postpartum IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, or IFN-γ, but IL-8 was significantly increased from pregnancy to postpartum (t(12) = -4.60, p = .001). Estradiol during pregnancy was positively correlated with IL-6 levels both during pregnancy (r p = .656, p = .008) and postpartum (r = 0.648, p = .023). Elevated IL-1β was associated with suicidal thoughts during pregnancy (r = 0.529, p = .029). Although not statistically significant, depressive symptom severity trended towards a positive association with larger increases in IL-1β (r = 0.535, p = .09) and TNF-α (r = 0.501, p = .08) from pregnancy to postpartum. Conclusion This preliminary study suggests the feasibility of our approach for exploring a complex interplay between hormonal and pro-inflammatory changes from pregnancy to postpartum, and their relationship with depressive symptoms. Given our small sample and the relatively exploratory nature of our analyses, additional investigation focusing on hormonal and inflammatory changes and their potential associations with perinatal mental health is necessary to confirm and extend our preliminary findings and examine additional potential covariates.
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