title: Barriers and Facilitators to the Use of Mental Health Services by Women With Elevated Symptoms of Depression and Their Partners.
abstract: This qualitative descriptive study explored the barriers and facilitators to the use of mental health services reported by women with elevated symptoms of depression in the postpartum period and their partners. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews of 30 heterosexual couples. Content analysis revealed five principal barriers and facilitators: (a) accessibility and proximity, (b) appropriateness and fit, (d) stigma, (e) encouraged to seek help, and (f) personal characteristics. The study highlights the importance of barriers and facilitators to be taken into consideration in order to promote the use of mental health services for women with elevated symptoms of depression in the postpartum period.
authors.affiliation: a Sherbrooke University , Faculty of Medicine and Health Science , Sherbrooke , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: b Jewish General Hospital , Centre for Nursing Research , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Feeley
authors.affiliation: c Jewish General Hospital Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hayton
authors.affiliation: c Jewish General Hospital Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zelkowitz
authors.affiliation: c Jewish General Hospital Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tait
authors.affiliation: d Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desindes