The role of perceived social support on pregnant women's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed at investigating which sources of social support best account for pregnant women's levels of psychological distress and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: 274 Italian and Canadian expectant mothers completed an online-based survey including measures of perceived social support (from family, significant other and friends), state anxiety, depressive symptoms, and satisfaction with life. Correlation analyses and amultivariate analysis of covariance were performed to explore how social support from different sources was related to depressive symptoms, state anxiety and satisfaction with life. RESULTS: Different sources of social support contributed to explaining women's psychological distress and mental well-being. Social support both from family and friends was significantly related to women's state anxiety and depressive symptoms. Social support from friends was specifically related to women's satisfaction with life. CONCLUSION: Our findings endorse the crucial role of perceived social support as a protective factor for pregnant women's mental health. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, our results suggest that support from family seems important in preventing psychological distress, whereas support from friends is also associated with mental well-being. These results may help designing future interventions aimed at improving women's perinatal mental health in life-threatening conditions.

Bereaved parents' experience of support groups following perinatal bereavement: a thematic synthesis / L'expérience des parents endeuillés participant à des groupes de soutien après un deuil périnatal : une synthèse thématique

Support groups play an essential role in caring for parents experiencing perinatal death and bereavement. However, there is very little data on the effectiveness of these services on their well-being. To better understand the experience of bereaved parents using support group services, a qualitative systematic review was conducted using Thomas and Harden's method. Seven databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycARTICLES, Cairn, Érudit, and Repère) were searched in October 2017 with an update in June 2021. A total of 16 studies were included and critically evaluated. The thematic synthesis made it possible to generate four analytical themes to describe parents' experience according to the notion of spaces. The first theme refers to external space, i.e., the format of the support groups (virtual or face-to-face), and the other three themes reflect internal spaces, i.e., the functions of the groups (support, expression, and learning). This thematic synthesis confirms that participating in support groups benefits bereaved parents. It also offers possible solutions to improve the structure and accessibility of support groups.

Les groupes de soutien jouent un rôle essentiel dans les soins dispensés aux parents lors d'un deuil périnatal. Or il existe très peu de données à l'égard de l'efficacité de ces services sur leur bien-être. Pour mieux comprendre l'expérience des parents endeuillés utilisant les services de groupe de soutien, une revue systématique qualitative a été réalisée selon la méthode de Thomas et Harden. Sept bases de données (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PsysARTICLES, Cairn, Érudit et Repère) ont été consultées en octobre 2017 avec une mise à jour en juin 2021. Au total, 16 études ont été incluses et évaluées de manière critique. La synthèse thématique a permis de générer quatre thèmes analytiques pour décrire l'expérience des parents selon la notion d'espaces. Le premier thème renvoie à l'espace externe, soit au format des groupes (virtuel ou en présentiel), et les trois autres thèmes reflètent les espaces internes, soit les fonctions des groupes (soutien, expression et apprentissage). Cette synthèse thématique confirme que la participation à des groupes de soutien apporte des bienfaits aux parents endeuillés. Elle offre également des pistes de solutions pour améliorer la structure et l'accessibilité des groupes de soutien.

Understanding the spirituality of parents following stillbirth: A qualitative meta-synthesis.

This meta-synthesis aims to synthesize qualitative evidence from primary studies to better understand the experience of the spirituality of parents and its relationship to adapting following stillbirth. Five electronic databases were systematically searched and the quality of 21 eligible studies was critically appraised. A thematic synthesis revealed two analytical themes: (1) Spiritual suffering following stillbirth; (2) Moving through spirituality to adapt to the loss, each encompassing four descriptive themes. The findings can inform a more culturally and spiritually sensitive approach to care, taking into account the parents' beliefs, folk customs, religion, values, and spiritual needs.

[Understanding the lived experiences of undergraduate nursing students during a mental health practicum. An interpretive phenomenological analysis]. / Analyse phénoménologique interprétative du vécu expérientiel des étudiantes au baccalauréat en sciences infirmières lors d'un stage en santé mentale. Comprendre pour mieux former.

In a global context where populations' mental health needs are growing rapidly, recruiting the next generation of nurses to work in these care settings is particularly problematic. Because of their negative views on mental health issues, nursing students reject such a career path. According to the literature, training programs, particularly clinical immersions, are the main way of mitigating the unpopularity of mental health care among this new generation of nurses. Through an interpretive phenomenological analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with eleven undergraduate nursing students, this research studied their learning experience during a clinical immersion in mental health care. Anchored in Parse's humanbecoming theory, this study explores the meaning that students attribute to such an experience, the experiential negotiation processes of the practicum setting, and the participants' ability to project themselves beyond the learning experience itself. These results raise various issues related to mental health nursing education, such as the importance of having a nursing role model, as well as various influencing factors related to the rejection of a career in mental health care by the next generation, such as the perception that working in these care settings involves an increased risk of aggression.

Analyse phénoménologique interprétative du vécu expérientiel des étudiantes au baccalauréat en sciences infirmières lors d'un stage en santé mentale. Comprendre pour mieux former.

In a global context where populations' mental health needs are growing rapidly, recruiting the next generation of nurses to work in these care settings is particularly problematic. Because of their negative views on mental health issues, nursing students reject such a career path. According to the literature, training programs, particularly clinical immersions, are the main way of mitigating the unpopularity of mental health care among this new generation of nurses. Through an interpretive phenomenological analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with eleven undergraduate nursing students, this research studied their learning experience during a clinical immersion in mental health care. Anchored in Parse's humanbecoming theory, this study explores the meaning that students attribute to such an experience, the experiential negotiation processes of the practicum setting, and the participants' ability to project themselves beyond the learning experience itself. These results raise various issues related to mental health nursing education, such as the importance of having a nursing role model, as well as various influencing factors related to the rejection of a career in mental health care by the next generation, such as the perception that working in these care settings involves an increased risk of aggression.

Assessing the impacts of an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement on professionals' practices with fathers: A qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the impacts of the Father-Friendly Initiative within Families (FFIF) programme, an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement, on health professionals' practices with fathers. BACKGROUND: It is increasingly recognised that father involvement benefits children's cognitive and social development and contributes to both parents' well-being. Recent research has shown health professionals' support to be a protective factor in father involvement. Research results were translated into practice through the implementation of a programme, the FFIF, aimed at empowering health professionals to support father involvement. DESIGN: The study employed a qualitative impact assessment approach based on semi-structured interviews with 36 health professionals to assess the impacts of the FFIF on professionals' practices with fathers. METHODS: A total of 36 health professionals were interviewed (13 nurses, 10 social workers, six community workers, three educators, two psychoeducators, one health manager, and one special education teacher). Interviews were transcribed, and a qualitative thematic analysis was carried out. This study is presented in line with COREQ's checklist. RESULTS: Impacts of the FFIF on health professionals were seen in changes on three fronts: (a1) their beliefs; (b) their conception of their role; and (c) their interventions. These changes related to three themes: (a) difficulties experienced by fathers; (b) importance of father involvement; and (c) differences between fathers and mothers. The professionals, having realised the importance of their own role in improving the services offered to fathers, made concrete changes in their interventions, such as reaching out to fathers more effectively, encouraging their participation and treating them fairly and equitably. CONCLUSIONS: After attending this interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement, participating professionals adopted father-friendly beliefs, redefined their conception of their role and modified their interventions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To provide family-centred care, nurses and other health professionals need to adopt father-inclusive practices.

[The unpopularity of mental health/psychiatry care settings among nursing students: A systematic review]. / Exploration de l'impopularité des milieux de santé mentale/psychiatrie auprès de la relève infirmière : une revue systématique des écrits.

In every population and country around the world, mental health needs are great and are on the rise. Through their training and their vast field of expertise, nurses are an important lever for addressing the issue of accessibility in these care settings. While the increase in the number of new nursing graduates should have helped this issue, recent data show a sharp increase in the shortage of nurses in these care settings. This systematic review (n=40) using the CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycArticles, and Scopus databases aims to explore why psychiatric and mental health care settings are unpopular with the next generation of nurses. Guided by Parse's theory, this review identifies three major themes : (1) nursing students' perspectives on mental health issues, (2) the influences of educational interventions on these perspectives, and (3) the factors facilitating and constraining a career in these care settings for new nursing graduates. These results enable a better understanding of what can affect the recruitment of new graduate nurses in mental health/psychiatry, while proposing various levers of intervention to specifically address this issue.

Exploration de l'impopularité des milieux de santé mentale/psychiatrie auprès de la relève infirmière : une revue systématique des écrits.

In every population and country around the world, mental health needs are great and are on the rise. Through their training and their vast field of expertise, nurses are an important lever for addressing the issue of accessibility in these care settings. While the increase in the number of new nursing graduates should have helped this issue, recent data show a sharp increase in the shortage of nurses in these care settings. This systematic review (n=40) using the CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycArticles, and Scopus databases aims to explore why psychiatric and mental health care settings are unpopular with the next generation of nurses. Guided by Parse's theory, this review identifies three major themes : (1) nursing students' perspectives on mental health issues, (2) the influences of educational interventions on these perspectives, and (3) the factors facilitating and constraining a career in these care settings for new nursing graduates. These results enable a better understanding of what can affect the recruitment of new graduate nurses in mental health/psychiatry, while proposing various levers of intervention to specifically address this issue.

Exploring the needs of parents who experience miscarriage in the emergency department: A qualitative study with parents and nurses.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To understand how parents experienced miscarriage in an emergency department setting. Objectives were to identify parents' needs, isolate factors that influenced their experience, and provide recommendations to improve care from the perspective of women, their partners, nurses and nurse managers. BACKGROUND: Miscarriage is the most prevalent complication encountered during pregnancy. It subjects parents to a multitude of emotions and may have significant consequences on mental health. Emergency department visits are frequently the only opportunity for parents to receive formal support during a miscarriage; it is thus crucial to understand the experiences of parents in this setting. DESIGN: The study employed a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. METHODS: The study was founded on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Logic Model Development Guide (2004) and Meleis' Transitions Theory (2015). A total of 26 participants were interviewed (17 parents, 7 emergency department nurses and 2 emergency department nurse managers). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research was used to report results. RESULTS: Three categories of needs were identified: physical health, cognitive and emotional. For instance, parents expressed a need to receive more information during their visit to the emergency department (i.e., a cognitive need), whether about the diagnostic test results or how to ensure a better recovery. Parents also reported a desire for professionals to address their emotional concerns. Nurses were aware of the emotional impact of miscarriage but felt that they were not adequately trained in providing optimal care to parents in this situation. CONCLUSIONS: Parents who visited the emergency department for miscarriage reported several unfulfilled needs that generated dissatisfaction with care. Emergency department organisational constraints hindered optimal nursing care practices. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses have an important role to play in improving parents' experience. They can do so by understanding the needs of parents and by being involved in developing new guidelines.

Impacts of online and group perinatal education: a mixed methods study protocol for the optimization of perinatal health services.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal education is a core component of perinatal care and services provided by health institutions. Whereas group prenatal education is the most common educational model, some health institutions have opted to implement online prenatal education to address accessibility issues as well as the evolving needs of future parents. Various studies have shown that prenatal education can be effective in acquisition of knowledge on labour and delivery, reducing psychological distress and maximising father's involvement. However, these results may depend on educational material, organization, format and content. Furthermore, the effectiveness of online prenatal education compared to group prenatal education remains unclear in the literature. This project aims to evaluate the impacts of group prenatal education and online prenatal education on health determinants and users' health status, as well as on networks of perinatal educational services maintained with community-based partners. METHODS: This multipronged mixed methods study uses a collaborative research approach to integrate and mobilize knowledge throughout the process. It consists of: 1) a prospective cohort study with quantitative data collection and qualitative interviews with future and new parents; and 2) a multiple case study integrating documentary sources and interviews with stakeholders involved in the implementation of perinatal information service networks and collaborations with community partners. Perinatal health indicators and determinants will be compared between prenatal education groups (group prenatal education and online prenatal education) and standard care without these prenatal education services (control group). DISCUSSION: This study will provide knowledge about the impact of online prenatal education as a new technological service delivery model compared to traditional group prenatal education. Indicators related to the complementarity of these interventions and those available in community settings will refine our understanding of regional perinatal services networks. Results will assist decision-making regarding service organization and delivery models of prenatal education services. PROTOCOL VERSION: Version 1 (February 9 2018).

Protocol for evaluation of the continuum of primary care in the case of a miscarriage in the emergency room: a mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: In Quebec (Canada), nearly 20,000 pregnancies end in miscarriage, and the majority of the miscarriages are dealt with in an emergency unit. Although there are studies documenting the effects of this type of grief on mental health, men's experiences are much less discussed than those of women. Similarly, no study has evaluated best practices in terms of service continuity, from emergency care to community resources. The aim of this study is to better understand the relationships that exist between the organization of emergency room and primary care health services for women presenting with miscarriage, on the one hand, and the positions and experiences of women and men within these services, on the other. METHODS: The general objective of this mixed-method study can be broken down into three methodological sections. Focus 1. Institutional discourses and practices. This section is structured as a multiple case study of the mandates of five participant institutions. The study will involve (a) a documentary analysis; (b) a quantitative survey (N: 200) and (c) group interviews (N: 75) with caregivers and emergency unit managers. Focus 2. Women's and men's experiences of miscarriages and the institutional response. This section includes (a) a survey (N: 232) and (b) individual interviews (N: 80) designed to identify best practices in emergency involving women and their partners in each area. Focus 3. This section will integrate the information furnished by the first two sections in order to create an ethnographic overview of the situation. DISCUSSION: This innovative project will provide answers to critical questions on how to improve the effectiveness and quality of interdisciplinary and multisectoral interventions to promote the mental health and psychosocial well-being of couples having experienced a miscarriage. It will have a material effect on the organization of emergency services and of the primary care pathway for women experiencing a miscarriage and for their partners. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable. This study involves a retrospective view of usual health care interventions. This study is not a clinical trial that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes.

Professionals' positive perceptions of fathers are associated with more favourable attitudes towards including them in family interventions.

AIM: This Université du Québec en Outaouais study examined professionals' attitudes towards fathers, their perceived self-efficacy when working with them and their perceptions of the importance of including fathers in family interventions. METHODS: Professionals in Québec, Canada, working in childcare fields such as education, social services, health, community services and management answered a self-report questionnaire between 2013 and 2015. The 296 respondents (90% females) had a mean age of 39 (20-65), were from urban, semi-urban and rural settings and provided services to families with children up to five years of age. RESULTS: Social service professionals perceived fathers more negatively than did other professionals. Even though male professionals perceived fathers more negatively, they felt more confident working with them than did their female counterparts. Positive perceptions of fathers were associated with more favourable attitudes towards including them in family interventions, and this association was mediated by the professionals' perceptions of their own self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: The most negative attitudes were reported by social service professionals. Male professionals viewed fathers more negatively but were more confident working with them than were female colleagues. Improving professionals' perceptions of fathers could help to promote their inclusion in family interventions.

Puppets as a strategy for communication with Brazilian children with cancer.

Children are considered competent social actors. Although they are able to express their opinions, they may have some difficulties in answering direct verbal questions, requiring researchers and health professionals to enter their world by using auxiliary resources for communication. This study presents the experience of using finger puppets as a playful strategy for improving interaction and communication with hospitalized children with cancer, aged seven to 12. It describes the strategy of making and using puppets as an auxiliary tool to communicate with children with cancer and presents the results and limitations of using puppets in clinical practice. The use of the puppets, creatively and in accordance with the children's motor, cognitive, and emotional development, showed benefits, such as allowing the children to freely express themselves; respecting their autonomy; and minimizing the hierarchical adult-child relationship. The use of puppets is an appropriate strategy to communicate with hospitalized children. This tool can also enrich clinical practice, as it encourages children with cancer to report their experience of being ill and also helps the health team during evaluation and intervention.

[The experience of men with hypertension]. / L'expérience des hommes atteints d'hypertension artérielle.

Many studies show that men make specific lifestyle choices. However, regarding high blood pressure (HBP), guidelines are without distinction for gender. The purpose of this project is to explore the men's experience with HBP. Using a phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten men living with HBP to explore beliefs and perceptions of men living with HBP. The main framework used is the health belief model. Two themes emerged: the meaning given to HBP (an unavoidable disease, the trivialization of HBP et HBP as synonymous of stress) and the management of this illness (the notion of control, the paradox of knowing about what to do and implementation of healthy lifestyle, relationship with health professionals). These results bring a better understanding of the experience of men with hypertension.

[Perinatal vulnerability and social-support during the postnatal period: a review of the literature]. / Vulnérabilité périnatale et soutien social en période postnatale : une revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of an integrative review of the literature that summarized empirical knowledge on dimensions of vulnerability during the perinatal period leading to informal and semi-formal postnatal support needs. METHOD: The literature search was performed in ten databases, covering the period from 1990 to March 2013. Relevant information was extracted and analysed in an integrative mode according to four main vulnerability dimensions: biological, psychological, social, cognitive. RESULTS: Thirty studies were included. Biological vulnerabilities mainly concern tiredness and breastfeeding difficulties; psychological vulnerabilities consist of stress, feelings of parental incompetence and need for reassurance; social vulnerabilities comprise performance pressure concerning new responsibilities and entertainment needs, instrumental assistance and peer social support; and cognitive vulnerabilities correspond to a need for participatory information on the prenatal period from peers. CONCLUSION: The transition to parenthood is an important step during which individuals may experience a state of vulnerability with numerous and interconnected dimensions. The variousforms of postnatal support therefore need to be harmonised in order to support parents. Research is needed on the harmonisation of the various support networks, which raises significant challenges, especially in terms of resources, funding, and information exchange, that must be documented.

[Analysis of qualitative data collection methods used in adolescent research]. / Analyse comparative des méthodes de collecte de données qualitatives utilisées auprès des adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: There has been remarkable growth in research on adolescents in the last decade, particularly in nursing science. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this article is to produce a synthesis of findings justifying the use of qualitative methods in collecting data from adolescents. METHOD: A literature review identified relevant articles (N : 27) from digital databases. FINDINGS: While the studies done on adolescents were on different topics, the data collection methods were often similar. Most of the studies used more than one technique to reconcile scientific rigour and the way the adolescents expressed themselves. In order to understand a phenomenon, its context and the meaning given to the experience proved essential. CONCLUSION: In qualitative research on adolescents, it is important to use data collection methods that make it possible to clearly target the experience explored and to orient and guide the individual in deepening that experience in order to favour the emergence of his or her point of view. Data collection methods based on written communication have to be complemented with other methods more focused on oral communication so as to draw out interpretations reflecting adolescents' points of view as accurately as possible.

Perceptions of Urban Father Support in Early Parenthood: A Critical Incident Analysis.

Becoming a father is a common transitional event, however men are often not adequately prepared for their fathering role. The United States (U.S.) health care system does little to support fathers' parenting needs during the postnatal and infancy period. Moreover, father's support needs are often perceived as secondary to the mother's needs in the maternal-child system. It is important that fathers' social support needs be investigated in the first year of his newborn's life, especially in diverse populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the social support needs of urban, African American fathers during early parenthood. Using the Critical Incident Technique (CIT), a descriptive, qualitative design was used to interview 35 fathers about their social support at 2-12 months after the birth of their baby. Using a semi-structured interview guide, fathers were asked to describe helpful and unhelpful events they experienced since the birth of their baby. Fathers reported 36 helpful events and 32 unhelpful events for an overall total of 68 events. Data was analyzed using House's Social Support Theory and the four social support categories: instrumental, informational, emotional, and appraisal. Using the CIT, main categories and subcategories were developed. The helpful categories included: 1) Helping father with infant care, 2) Providing information on infant care, 3) Receiving HCP assistance, 4) Managing relationships, and 5) Becoming a father. The unhelpful categories included: 1) Receiving unhelpful assistance, 2) Receiving unreliable or unwanted assistance, 3) Offering bad advice, 4) Conflicting relationships, 5) Conflicts with friends, 6) Unsatisfying HCP experience, and 7) Receiving no support from family/organizations. The results of the study validated House's Social Support Theory and served as an excellent framework for exploring social support needs in fathers. More research needs to be conducted on the social support needs of fathers during the first year of their infants' lives, especially with experienced African American fathers and nonresidential fathers, and how health care professionals (HCPs), specifically postnatal and child health nurses, can better support fathers during the infancy period.

Compassionate Care for Parents Experiencing Miscarriage in the Emergency Department: A Situation-Specific Theory.

In many countries, parents experiencing miscarriage seek treatment in the emergency department (ED). Parents frequently report dissatisfaction with ED care, while nurses report not knowing how to provide optimal care. This article describes the development of a situation-specific theory, Compassionate care for parents experiencing miscarriage in the ED , based on 4 concepts (change trigger, transition properties, conditions of change, and interventions). This theory evolved from a comprehensive review of the literature, 2 empirical studies, Transitions Theory, and collaborative efforts of an experienced team. The detailed theory development process facilitates its integration in practice and supports new theory development.

Family Functioning and the Pandemic: How Do Parental Perceived Social Support and Mental Health Contribute to Family Health?

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine measures implemented have profoundly impacted parents and families. The stress and uncertainty generated by the COVID-19 virus, as well as the disruption of routines and social relationships, have weakened both individual and family health and functioning. OBJECTIVE: The present research is part of a larger study that aims to understand, with a family systems theory, the longitudinal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on school-aged children, adolescents, and their parents. More specifically, this paper aims to investigate parents' experience of the first months of the pandemic as a predictor of perceived social support, parental ill-being (aggregate score of well-established poor psychological functioning indicators), parental satisfaction, and family functioning. METHOD: During the first lockdown (April-May 2020), 203 parents of school-aged children living in Quebec completed an online questionnaire. RESULTS: Path analysis indicates that the impact of COVID-19 and health preoccupation due to COVID-19 are both positively associated with individual parental ill-being, which in turn detracts from family functioning and parental satisfaction. Furthermore, perceptions about positive effects of the pandemic are negatively associated with parental ill-being, and positively with perceived social support, which in turn significantly contributes to family functioning and parental satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of adopting a systemic perspective to best understand the effects of the pandemic and the social and health measures on individuals, families, and systems, as well as to better support parents and family health through periods of uncertainty.

[Family issues after the birth of a child]. / L'expérience familiale à la naissance d'un enfant.

After the birth of a child, all members of the family are expected to adapt. This common nursing practice in Québec provides considerable support for the parents. The maternity nurse, in order to establish the father's specific needs to help him adapt to being a parent, can, thanks to a short interview, define the strengths and resources offered by each member of the family.