A study into peer support after miscarriage.
While health professional’s care routinely focuses on the physical effects, and physiological reasons behind, pregnancy loss, the impact loss has on mental health and well-being is significantly less well developed and considered. Experiencing miscarriage can be very traumatic; one in five women and one in twelve men suffer depression, anxiety and/or post-traumatic stress disorder following miscarriage thus improving the support people receive, in terms of their mental health, after miscarriage, is an important priority for parents, healthcare professionals and charities.
The James Lind Alliance has prioritised research to develop optimal treatment and support for those experiencing psychological distress after miscarriage. New maternal mental health services, launched following publication of the NHS Implementation Plan, focus on perinatal (i.e. pregnancy loss ≥28 weeks) trauma and loss. Many of these services are incorporating Peer Support Workers in their skill mix. Whilst this is very welcome, not all services cover miscarriage and, for those that do, there is a real imperative to understand which interventions may be helpful.
This study will explore the evidence-base around peer support after miscarriage, in relation to mental health outcomes. Peer support links people with experience of miscarriage with others who have also experienced miscarriage, to provide support, hope and encouragement.
Interviews, with peer support recipients, will be conducted, and responses will then be examined, in order to make explicit links between interventions, and outcomes, and subsequently be able to make recommendations for future policy and practice for peer support after miscarriage.
By combining this evidence, we will look to make explicit links between interventions, mechanisms and outcomes and subsequently be able to make recommendations for future policy and practice for peer support after miscarriage.
Find out MoreMore information to follow once study is underway.
