Lifting the Fog: Provider Screening Behaviors and New Mothers' Knowledge of Perinatal Mood Disorders

This study examines the communication and screening practices of healthcare professionals in regards to perinatal mood disorders (PMDs). Specifically, this study sought to understand the frequency of PMD screenings, which providers complete screenings, provider communication about PMDs, and women’s knowledge of PMD symptoms. Participants were 155 mothers who completed a 16-item online questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis found PMD screening is low. Participants who were screened for PMDs were most often screened by prescribing providers. Results also indicate that while there is little communication about PMDs, oral communication is more common than written communication. Participants were also largely unable to identify symptoms of a common PMD; yet, knowledge of symptoms was not associated with age or education level. A discussion of these findings is provided, including study limitations and recommendations for future research