International Journal of Women's Health

Strengths-based approaches to optimizing perinatal mental health and wellbeing

Positive perinatal mental health is likely to result from a combination of internal and external resources that foster the ability to cope well despite severe and long-lasting stressors. Individuals who are able to acquire and maintain resources are better situated to cope with the demands associated with the transition to motherhood. Internal and external resources often aggregate and interact during the perinatal period to collectively influence prenatal, birth and postpartum outcomes. Several studies have found that internal resources, including optimism and religiosity, may mitigate perinatal mood disorders and enhance maternal mental health. External resources, including informal and formal supports as well as aspects of the neighborhood environment and community connections may further promote positive perinatal well-being. This Article Collection includes exploratory and intervention studies, as well as secondary data analyses, that apply strengths-based approaches to investigate resources associated with well-being during pregnancy and/or through the first year postpartum.