Perinatal mental health research: priorities from a neurodiverse sample in the United Kingdom
Lautarescu A., Heraty S., Johnson C., Ruigrok A., Eaton E., Bazelmans T., Sigurdardottir J., Ratti V., Stone H., Anderson J., Javed A., Mahtani S., Lau-Zhu A., Smith DM.
Abstract Purpose The aim of this study is to better understand perinatal mental health research priorities of neurotypical and neurodivergent people. Methods A co-designed mixed-methods survey was conducted as part of the Wellbeing Across Neurotypes: Depression and Anxiety (WANDA) study. 709 participants in the United Kingdom (UK) quantitatively rated and ranked research topics within perinatal mental health, with 253 also providing qualitative data. Results The top research priorities were (1) interventions and (2) diagnosis for perinatal mental health problems for birthing people and (3) how these impact parent-infant relationships. Qualitative data revealed additional topics of importance including healthcare experiences, trauma, and neurodiversity. Conslusions These results suggest complex, multilevel barriers to accessing diagnosis and support in the UK.