Acceptability of Virtual Therapy for Postpartum Women During COVID-19: A National Mixed Methods Study

Overview

Journal Front Psychiatry

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2022 Sep 26

PMID 36159918

Authors

Carmen Gonzalez

Magaly Ramirez

Felicia Mata-Greve

Autumn Diaz

Miriana C Duran

Morgan Johnson

Nancy Grote

Patricia A Arean

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects one in eight women in the U.S., with rates increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the unique circumstances of COVID-19, virtual therapy might be a unique way to overcome barriers to mental health services. The study sought to explore the acceptability of virtual therapy among women in the postpartum period.

Methods: Using an online recruitment mixed methods approach, we collected data from a U.S. national cross-sectional sample of women ( = 479) who gave birth in the last 12 months.

Findings: Results show that 66% of women endorsed items consistent with possible depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 27% accessed therapy services during the postpartum period. While 88% were open to engaging in virtual therapy services, 12% identified several major concerns with virtual therapy, namely: (1) preference for in-person therapy (2) no perceived need for therapy (3) uncomfortable with virtual therapy, and (4) lack of privacy. Of note, 36% more Latinas reported dissatisfaction with quality of care received during virtual therapy compared to non-Latina participants. Despite a major shift to virtual care with COVID-19, future work is needed to make virtual mental health services more accessible for women with PPD.

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