Perinatal psychological distress (PPD) may cause delays in help-seeking in the perinatal period, which is crucial for families with small children. Help-seeking theories focus on rational processes of behavior wherein ‘help-seeking’ is viewed as a decision-making process, in which action is preceded by recognizing a problem. We identified the phase prior to actual help-seeking actions as a life situation and a phenomenon through which to gain a deeper understanding from women’s own perspectives. The aim of this study was to integrate and synthesize knowledge of women’s experiences of contemplating seeking help for PPD. We chose interpretative meta-ethnography by Noblit and Hare (1988) and implemented eMERGe guidelines in reporting. The search was performed systematically, and the 14 included studies were evaluated with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist (CASP). We identified seven themes and a metaphor in a lines-of-argument synthesis, showing that contemplating help-seeking is a multidimensional phenomenon. We did not observe a straightforward and linear process (as previous research suggests) but instead a complex process of contemplating help-seeking. A clinical implication is that service providers should work with outreach and develop their tools to connect with mothers with PPD. Another suggestion is to improve training in mental health literacy prior to or during pregnancy.

中文翻译：

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在围产期心理困扰中寻求帮助的元民族志

围产期心理困扰（PPD）可能会导致围产期寻求帮助的延迟，这对于有小孩的家庭至关重要。寻求帮助理论侧重于行为的理性过程，其中“寻求帮助”被视为决策过程，在该过程中，行动之前先要认识到问题。我们将实际寻求帮助之前的阶段确定为一种生活状况和一种现象，通过这种现象可以从女性的角度获得更深刻的理解。这项研究的目的是整合和综合有关妇女考虑向PPD寻求帮助的经验。我们选择了Noblit and Hare（1988）的解释性元民族志，并在报告中实施了eMERGe指南。搜索是系统进行的，并通过关键评估技能计划清单（CASP）对纳入的14项研究进行了评估。我们在论点综合中确定了七个主题和一个隐喻，表明考虑寻求帮助是一个多维现象。我们没有观察到一个简单而线性的过程（如先前的研究所表明的那样），而是观察到了寻求帮助的复杂过程。临床意义是服务提供商应与外展人员合作并开发他们的工具，以与患有PPD的母亲建立联系。另一个建议是在怀孕之前或期间改善对心理健康素养的培训。我们没有观察到一个简单而线性的过程（如先前的研究所表明的那样），而是观察到了寻求帮助的复杂过程。临床意义是服务提供商应与外展人员合作并开发他们的工具，以与患有PPD的母亲建立联系。另一个建议是在怀孕之前或期间改善对心理健康素养的培训。我们没有观察到一个简单而线性的过程（如先前的研究所表明的那样），而是观察到了寻求帮助的复杂过程。临床意义是服务提供商应与外展人员合作并开发他们的工具，以与患有PPD的母亲建立联系。另一个建议是在怀孕之前或期间改善对心理健康素养的培训。