抄録
妊産婦に身近に接する助産師は,周産期のメンタルヘルスサポートにおいて大きな役割を担っていることは,すでに先行研究において指摘されている。今回,われわれは,精神科診療所に通院している育児中の母親が,疾病や育児の悩みを話し共有することなどを目的として集団精神療法を試みた。対象は産褥期から児が3歳までの母親,対象疾患は産後うつ病をはじめとする広義のマタニティブルーとパニック障害とし,隔週90分のフリートークの形式で,助産師・心理士各1名が同席した。参加者は5名で,当日の出席は1〜5名であった。アンケートによる参加者の評価は「同じ悩みをもつ人の話しを聞き励まされた」「安心した」「自信がもてた」「元気になった」「参考になった」など肯定的であった。この集団精神療法の意義および,問題点などについて若干の文献的考察を含め報告する。
Previous studies have indicated that midwives in close contact with pregnant women and nursing mothers play important roles in the maintenance of the mental, as well as physical, health of perinatal women. In the preset study, we tested the effectiveness of a group therapy, in which nursing mothers under psychiatric care meet every other week for 90 minutes and talk freely about their problems with diseases and nursing in the presence of a midwife and clinical-psychologist. The subjects included postpartum women and mothers, with children up to 3 years old, who were suffering from panic disorder and maternity blues in a broad sense including postpartum depression. The participants reported that they appreciated the group therapy. They stated that talking about their personal experiences with other participants with similar disorders contributed to a mutual development of positive feelings. These feelings included relief from loneliness and anxiety, as well as encouragement and self-confidence. The participants were also able to acquire helpful information on relief from their difficulties. Here we report on the significance and problems of this group therapy, including a literature review.
