Frontiers in Psychiatry (Sep 2022)
Acceptability of virtual therapy for postpartum women during COVID-19: A national mixed methods study
- Carmen Gonzalez,
- Carmen Gonzalez,
- Carmen Gonzalez,
- Carmen Gonzalez,
- Magaly Ramirez,
- Magaly Ramirez,
- Magaly Ramirez,
- Magaly Ramirez,
- Felicia Mata-Greve,
- Felicia Mata-Greve,
- Felicia Mata-Greve,
- Felicia Mata-Greve,
- Autumn Diaz,
- Autumn Diaz,
- Autumn Diaz,
- Autumn Diaz,
- Miriana C. Duran,
- Miriana C. Duran,
- Miriana C. Duran,
- Miriana C. Duran,
- Morgan Johnson,
- Morgan Johnson,
- Morgan Johnson,
- Morgan Johnson,
- Nancy Grote,
- Nancy Grote,
- Nancy Grote,
- Nancy Grote,
- Patricia A. Areán,
- Patricia A. Areán,
- Patricia A. Areán,
- Patricia A. Areán
Affiliations
- Carmen Gonzalez
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Carmen Gonzalez
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Carmen Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Carmen Gonzalez
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Magaly Ramirez
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Magaly Ramirez
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Magaly Ramirez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Magaly Ramirez
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Felicia Mata-Greve
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Felicia Mata-Greve
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Felicia Mata-Greve
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Felicia Mata-Greve
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Autumn Diaz
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Autumn Diaz
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Autumn Diaz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Autumn Diaz
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Miriana C. Duran
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Miriana C. Duran
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Miriana C. Duran
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Miriana C. Duran
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Morgan Johnson
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Morgan Johnson
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Morgan Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Morgan Johnson
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Nancy Grote
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Nancy Grote
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Nancy Grote
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Nancy Grote
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Patricia A. Areán
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Patricia A. Areán
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Patricia A. Areán
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Patricia A. Areán
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.893073
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 13
Abstract
BackgroundPostpartum 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.MethodsUsing an online recruitment mixed methods approach, we collected data from a U.S. national cross-sectional sample of women (N = 479) who gave birth in the last 12 months.FindingsResults 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.
Keywords
