Abstract
Objectives
To explore the practices and preferences of perinatal and infant mental health (PIMH) clinicians, towards the clinical assessment of the parent–infant relationship in mental health settings.
Methods
A cross-sectional, multilingual, 36-item survey was distributed globally from December 2019 to June 2020. Data from 321 qualified health professionals (Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology) from 16 countries were examined. The survey captured participants’ own assessment preferences and practices (clinician perspective) and their perceptions of the attitudes and practices of the service in which they work (service perspective). Differences between clinician and service perspectives were examined using Chi-squared tests of proportions.
Results
Respondents endorsed the clinical importance of assessing parent–infant relationship quality across outpatient and inpatient settings. A dyadic focus to assessment, evaluating the parent–infant relationship as a unit rather than assessing the parent or infant separately, was more popular as a personal preference (52.6%) than as a service preference (31.7%), PD = 20.9% [95% CI 12.6–28.8], χ2(1, N = 268) = 24.0, p < .0001. Most respondents endorsed partner involvement in PIMH care; however, a minority belonged to a service that provided partner–infant assessments (49.2%). Only a small proportion reported family-focused assessment as their individual preference (14%) or service preference (7%).
Conclusions
The positive attitudes suggest overall support among clinicians for the assessment of parent–infant relationship quality as a routine practice within PIMH service delivery. Survey findings also suggest efforts should be made to include greater partner involvement and a family focus.