Creation and evaluation of a maternal mental health course |
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Authors: | Rebecca J. McCloskey Sanjana Ragudaran |
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Affiliation: | 1. College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USAmccloskey.73@osu.edu;3. School of Social Work, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, USA |
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Abstract: | Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) engender significant and increasing personal, social, developmental, and economic burdens to women, children, families, and global public health. In the US, a Master of Social Work (MSW) elective course, Introduction to Maternal Mental Health, was created to prepare future social workers to better understand, detect, intervene, and advocate with women struggling with perinatal mental health concerns. A pilot study used pre–post-surveys (N = 10) and a focus group to examine students’ knowledge acquisition, course satisfaction, and perceived self-efficacy. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-survey course content knowledge scores. Positive focus group feedback and survey outcomes suggest that students benefitted from the course in terms of increased learning and professional efficacy in maternal mental health; however, the study should be replicated using a larger sample and comparison group. The course outline provided may be used to develop a similar course or to infuse maternal mental health content into existing courses. The paper concludes with implications and recommendations for social work educators. |
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Keywords: | postpartum depression (PPD) perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) maternal mental health social work education |
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