Psychological Distress, Coping and Perceived Social Support Among Partners of Women with Postpartum Onset Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Admitted to a Mother–Baby Unit

BACKGROUND: The presence of a severe mental illness in the mother during the postpartum period may impact the whole family and specifically have an effect on the health of the spouse. The current study aimed to assess psychological distress, coping, and perceived social support of spouses of women with postpartum onset severe mental illness. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used, and 30 spouses of the women admitted to the mother–baby unit (MBU) for psychiatric inpatient care were included in the study. The assessments included sociodemographic details, Kessler psychological distress scale (K10), brief coping orientation to problems experienced scale (brief COPE), and Zimets’ multidimensional scale of perceived social support. RESULTS: Around 50% of the spouses experienced severe psychological distress. Nearly 40% of spouses reported poor coping and 56.7% of spouses had moderate social support from family and friends. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate the need to address distress and coping in spouses of women with postpartum onset SMI.