Abstract
Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of traumatic childbirth or the immediate postpartum experience is becoming more widely recognised by society and mental health services. A traumatic stress service in the South of England developed a Psychoeducation and Compassion Resilience Group (PCRG) as a new intervention for postpartum PTSD symptoms. This study aimed to explore group members’ perceptions of this group and any effects on symptoms of PTSD, self-criticism and the mother-infant relationship. A mixed methods approach was employed to best address this, analysing quantitative outcome measures using descriptive statistics and reliable change indices, and qualitative data using reflexive thematic analysis. Seven mothers were recruited from the 12-week group, completing outcome measures at three time-points and interviews within a month of the final group session. Four qualitative themes were identified via the reflexive thematic analysis: (1) ‘Providers of care: giving with one hand and taking away with the other’; (2) ‘The role of others: a blessing or a curse?’; (3) ‘Defining improvement: acceptance vs change’ and (4) ‘Supporting people to support themselves’. Outcome measures showed an improvement across group averages of most symptoms, but very little reliable change. Participants, meanwhile, reported that the PCRG improved the way they felt about their PTSD symptoms, viewing them more compassionately, thus decreasing the distress they caused. Little to no effect of the group was found on the mother-infant relationship.