Psychosocial Resilience and Risk in the Perinatal Period : Implications and Guidance for Professionals

Drawing on psychosocial perspectives, this book considers the underlying risk factors that create situations of vulnerability and marginalisation for mothers, from their baby‘s conception up to a year after birth. It identifies the protective factors - whether at an individual, family, community or service level – that can mitigate against adverse outcomes and it highlights promising evidence-based interventions. With its focus on social and cultural diversity as well as complex needs, this is an excellent overview for students and practitioners alike, featuring the latest research findings, illustrations of exemplary care, and emphasis on implications for practice.

Bringing together experts in the field, this important book considers the underlying risk factors that create situations of psychosocial vulnerability and marginalisation for mothers, from their baby’s conception up to a year after birth. Adopting a strengths-based approach, the book looks not only at the incidence and impact of disadvantageous circumstances on women but also explores protective factors at an individual, family, community and service level. It identifies promising evidence-based interventions and sources of resilience.

With a distinctive focus on social and cultural diversity, Psychosocial Resilience and Risk in the Perinatal Period considers a wide range of personal circumstances and social groups, including women’s experiences of traumatic birth, domestic and family violence, drug and alcohol use and mothering by indigenous, same-sex and disabled women. Throughout, case studies and service user experiences are used to illuminate the issues and illustrate exemplary care practice.

International in scope, this book is particularly strong on the implications for care practices and health service delivery within Western models of maternity care. Its applied focus and evidence base makes it eminently suitable for study purposes and professional reference. Of relevance to midwives, health visitors and other health and social care practitioners, Psychosocial Resilience and Risk in the Perinatal Period’s final chapters focus on developing resilience amongst professionals and multiprofessional and interagency working.