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Loneliness is a key contributing factor to depression in new and expectant mothers, according to new research published in BMC Psychiatry.
The study, a meta-synthesis of qualitative research from 27 research papers, found that causes of loneliness included stigma, self-isolation, emotional disconnection and not receiving enough support.
Many women reported a fear of judgement as a ‘bad mother’, and both perceived and experienced mental health stigma, which contributed to them hiding symptoms of mental ill-health and often led to self-isolation and withdrawal.
Women reported that validation and understanding from healthcare professionals helped to alleviate feelings of loneliness, suggesting that clinical staff may have a significant role to play in combating perinatal and postnatal depression.
Mothers from disadvantaged communities more likely to experience loneliness
While depression is common during the perinatal period – affecting one in six pregnant women and one in five women during the first three months after birth – few studies have considered how loneliness plays into this.
To address this gap, the researchers analysed 27 papers including 537 women. They found that loneliness came through prominently across the studies as a key contributing factor.
Many of the women interviewed said they experienced a sudden sense of emotional disconnection from other mothers and from the baby once they had given birth.
Others said there was a mismatch between expected and actual support from their partner, family, friends and the community more broadly.
Women from disadvantaged communities were disproportionately affected by loneliness and depression due to increased stigma and decreased social support. The researchers say this highlights the need for more targeted support that is culturally appropriate.
New mothers found it helpful to speak to others with similar stories
Healthcare professionals have a key role in providing this support and senior author Professor Sonia Johnson says clinical staff should ask expectant and new mothers about whether they feel lonely and signpost them to peer support.
While peer support was found to be helpful, it was only effective if women were able to speak to mothers who had experienced similar feelings. Speaking to mothers who appeared to be doing well was found to make loneliness worse.
Nevertheless, Professor Johnson says peer, social and family support “are likely to be crucial in reducing perinatal depression” and this study has helped to highlight the importance of social connection during this period.
However, Professor Johnson adds there is “a lot more to be done to understand why loneliness is so important in the perinatal period” and says more research must now be done to “develop effective ways of preventing or reducing it.”