Esther Dadzie
It has been estimated that in the UK postnatal women in the first year after birth experience an increased rate of anxiety of 10 to 20% (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2020). However, studies have linked maternal anxiety and social support, where mothers supported during their postnatal period experience good mental health outcomes (Mayers et al., 2020) compared to those who do not receive social support (Elsenbruch et al., 2007) . Therefore, this study aims to explore the experience of postnatal mothers in relation to anxiety and social support during the Covid-19 pandemic to inform to the development of a supportive strategy that can be provided by healthcare professionals and family to postnatal mothers.
My Project is self-funded.
What is your ideal Research outcome?
To help inform in the development of early detection and interventions in the management of perinatal anxiety.
Supervisors
Dr Oliver Perra, Dr Helen Noble and Dr Jennifer McKenna
Why did you choose this PhD and why at Queen’s?
To broaden my Knowledge and to become an independent researcher in maternal and child health care.
I chose Queen's University because the School of Nursing and Midwifery is among the best globally.
I come from Ghana and studied Bachelor of Science in Midwifery.
How have you been supported at Queen’s?
Queen’s University have supported me through training and workshops by supervisors and the Graduate School.
In what ways have you developed at Queen’s?
Being at Queen’s University has given me a lot of insight on how to organise and conduct comprehensive research.
Can you describe the postgraduate community in the School and at Queen’s?
The graduate school community at Queen’s University are very friendly and supportive to student both academically and socially.
Where do you hope your PhD will lead?
In the future, the knowledge I have acquired through this program will enable me to teach and conduct effective research. It will also help to interact, assess, and manage psychological issues that are related to maternal and child health, especially, anxiety.
Anything else you would like to add or advice to new PGR students?
I think Queen’s University is one of the best in the UK and globally. Also, the teaching, learning and research give room for contributions which helps students to develop independently. This makes Queen’s one of the best.