Exploring mothers’ experiences of perinatal mental distress in rural Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa

Abstract

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified perinatal mental distress as a global health priority, estimating that one in five mothers experiences some form of mental health difficulty during this period (World Health Organisation, 2022). In Aotearoa New Zealand, this concern is particularly acute, with suicide now recognised as the leading cause of maternal death. Perinatal mental distress, spanning conception through the first 12 months postpartum, affects mood and daily functioning, with consequences that can perpetuate cycles of distress across generations. Despite the seriousness of this issue, there remains a lack of qualitative research in Aotearoa New Zealand that includes the voices of mothers and situates their experiences within the country’s unique sociocultural context. This study employed an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, drawing on semi-structured interviews with five mothers in Central Otago who had experienced perinatal mental distress. Findings and analysis revealed three superordinate themes: Identity: The Fragmented and Reformed Self, Psychological: The Storm and Calm Inside, and Sociocultural: The Weight of Expectation and Strength in Numbers. Each theme comprised several subordinate themes, which together traced a journey from hardship to healing. The findings highlight the need for a more inclusive understanding of perinatal mental distress, one that acknowledges the full emotional spectrum of mothers’ experiences and situates them within both individual and sociocultural contexts.