Presentation
Surveying Perinatal Mental Health Challenges: Insights for a Remote Intervention System
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionPerinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) adversely affect both maternal health and child’s psychological development. These challenges are particularly pronounced among racial/ethnic minorities, who often face disparities receiving diagnosis and care. Remote intervention systems have gained traction in providing mental health support, however, current systems fail to address women’s changing needs throughout the entire perinatal period. This study aimed to inform the development of a personalized remote intervention system by surveying 31 Black or African American women in different stages of the perinatal period. Participants reported the highest PMAD symptoms during the second and third trimesters, citing stressors such as hormonal changes, financial burden, and lack of family support. Remote support was most preferred during pregnancy due to accessibility, flexibility, and reduced costs. Key features for the intervention system included communication with healthcare providers, therapy access, positive affirmations, symptom monitoring, and time management tools. Barriers to in-person care included stigma, time constraints, and distrust in healthcare providers. Findings highlight the need for a user-centered and flexible remote intervention platform tailored to the evolving needs of women throughout the perinatal period. Future work will involve prototyping such a system to enhance mental health outcomes and reduce disparities in PMAD care.
Event Type
Poster
TimeTuesday, October 14th5:30pm - 6:30pm CDT
LocationRiverside East
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