Seeking psychological treatment for perinatal anxiety: Attitudes and preferences among pregnant, postpartum, and non-perinatal women

Objective: Perinatal anxiety (PA) impacts 15 to 24.5% of women though treatment-seeking rates are low, despite various available and effective treatment options. The present study aimed to understand pregnant, postpartum, and non-perinatal women’s attitudes toward treatment-seeking and information needs regarding PA. Methods: Non-perinatal, pregnant, and postpartum women ages 18-40 in Central Canada completed an online survey (N = 200). Crosstabulation analyses illustrated differences in treatment preferences across groups. A one-way between-subjects ANOVA informed differences in attitudes toward psychological treatment-seeking across groups. Results: Across groups, women had positive attitudes toward psychological treatment seeking. Women endorsed a preference for PA support from peers and psychoeducation from their family doctor. Most women desired brief 1-page fact sheets on psychological and pharmacological treatment options during early pregnancy or pregnancy planning. Conclusion: Findings inform a need for evidence-based eHealth and in-person treatments for PA. Women have positive attitudes toward seeking such services and voiced a preference for information regarding treatment options to be delivered early in pregnancy. Practice Implications: Findings demonstrate a need for a unified national psychoeducation and treatment information resource to be developed and disseminated online. Such resources should be available early in pregnancy or pregnancy planning to prevent developing or worsening PA.