Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41697426›Full record

SynthesisArchives of women's mental health2026

Navigating postpartum psychosis: perspectives, needs, expectations and experiences of women and their families - a systematic review.

Rupa Sanadi, Elangovan Aravind Raj, Chithirai Valli Kuppusamy, Rashmi Arasappa, Prabha S Chandra

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Archives of women's mental health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Rupa SanadiDepartment of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India.
Elangovan Aravind RajDepartment of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India. aravind.nimhans@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0003-0606-8842
Chithirai Valli KuppusamyDepartment of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India.
Rashmi ArasappaDepartment of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India.
Prabha S ChandraDepartment of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPostpartum Psychosis (PP) is a severe form of perinatal mental illness and may have profound consequences for the well-being of mothers, infants, and families.

aimThis systematic review explores the experiences, needs, perspectives, and expectations of women with postpartum psychosis and that of their families.

designA systematic review used the meta-aggregation method.

methodA systematic search was conducted using 5 electronic databases-PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies published between 01 January 2012 and 31 December 2024. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and included peer-reviewed studies in English. Study quality was independently assessed by two investigators using Covidence software and the Mirza and Jenkins checklist (2004). Qualitative, explorative, and descriptive studies employing thematic or interpretative analyses were included.

resultsTwenty-two studies were included in this synthesis. Findings reveal a complex interplay between postpartum psychosis and family dynamics, which is also shaped by cultural narratives surrounding motherhood. These narratives show how women and families perceive illness and seek help. Five key themes and fifteen subthemes emerged: (1) An understanding of postpartum psychosis, (2) Baby being central to recovery, (3) The importance of support and network systems, (4) Being overwhelmed with responsibilities, and (5) Future plans and plans related to future pregnancy. Poor awareness and systemic barriers often leave families feeling unsupported. Mothers experience emotional exhaustion, viewing the baby as both a comfort and a stressor. Fathers report a need for professional support and struggle with shifting family roles, particularly during separation in mother-baby unit admissions.

conclusionThe review underscores the importance of timely, family-centered care in the management of postpartum psychosis. Mothers and families appear to be overwhelmed at a vulnerable time of their lives and have to navigate systemic barriers to care. Active involvement of families in treatment with culturally sensitive interventions can foster coping, facilitate maternal recovery, and promote maternal-infant bonding.

Indexed as

MothersPostpartum PeriodPsychotic DisordersPuerperal DisordersFemaleHumansPregnancyFamily psychoeducationPerinatal mental healthPostpartum psychosisThematic analysis

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.