title: Men's experiences of having a partner who requires Mother and Baby Unit admission for first episode postpartum psychosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of men during their partner's admission to a Mother and Baby Unit for first episode postpartum psychosis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Postpartum psychosis can be life-changing for women, however little is known about the impact on their partners or their partners' needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was used to analyse interview transcripts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants. Interviews were conducted in 2014-2015.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two main themes were identified: 'What the f*** is going on?' and 'Time to figure out how your family works'. Partners experienced shock and confusion during postpartum psychosis onset. Most felt hospital admission was beneficial, although there were barriers to accessing help and involvement in their partner's care. A process of understanding changes to roles, relationships and family identity was described. Loss was a common experience, with a potentially lasting impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men reported a range of challenging and positive experiences associated with their partner's postpartum psychosis. Improvements are needed in awareness of postpartum psychosis, access to appropriate services and support of partners.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Coventry University, UK.|Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6193-8199
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boddy
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Coventry University, UK.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: MacCallum
authors.affiliation: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Perinatal Mental Health Service, UK.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGuinness
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D032882:Comprehension; D003221:Confusion / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: acute care; mental health; midwifery; mother and baby unit; nursing; postpartum psychosis; psychiatric nursing; qualitative approaches; spouses