Intrusive thoughts of infant harm in postpartum women: The impact of psychoeducation on disclosure and help-seeking attitudes and behaviors

Abstract

This study examined the occurrence of repetitive, intrusive thoughts about infant harm in postpartum women and the role psychoeducation plays in encouraging disclosure and promoting help-seeking attitudes and behaviors. Postpartum women (n=57) completed an online survey about their experiences with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and help-seeking attitudes and intentions toward mental health support. Participants in the treatment condition (n=27) viewed a 2.5-minute psychoeducation video before completing a survey, while those in the control condition (n=30) completed the survey first, followed by the same psychoeducation video. Independent t-tests were conducted to compare intrusive thoughts and compulsions, as well as responses to three measures of help-seeking attitudes and intentions across the two conditions. No significant differences were found between the treatment and control conditions on rates of thoughts and compulsions, and help-seeking attitudes and behaviors. The psychoeducation video did not appear to increase disclosure and help-seeking attitudes in this sample of postpartum women. However, our findings add to the limited research that suggests intrusive thoughts are extremely common in postpartum women. All women in our sample reported experiencing at least one infant harm related intrusive thought. More research is needed to determine ways to reduce barriers to help-seeking, and to increase public awareness and comfort discussing this common experience, that in some cases, requires professional treatment.