Samantha Banbury

Postnatal depression, maternal–infant bonding and social support: a cross-cultural comparison of Nigerian and British mothers

Abstract Objectives: The high prevalence of Post-Natal Depression (PND) in low and lower-middle income countries of Africa raises questions about the functionality of the abundant informal support accessed in the enmeshed family structure. This study examined the interaction between social support, parity and culture in the development of PND and maternal–infant bonding (MIB) among Nigerian, British and Nigerian Immigrant mothers in the UK. Methods: Participants (N = 124) were recruited from the UK and Nigeria via local support groups for mothers, websites offering motherhood-related content and social media. Questionnaires including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire and Norbecks Social Support Questionnaire were uploaded onto SurveyMonkey®. Results: Findings revealed significant cultural differences in PND and social support. Multiple regression analyses revealed that PND, social support and culture could predict MIB, with PND being the only significant independent predictor. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance that cultural factors play in the development of PND and the establishment of MIB in the context of culturally attuned healthcare services.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BREAST-FEEDING, CO-SLEEPING, AND SOMATIC COMPLAINTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

The central aim of this study was to expand a limited body of knowledge on the complex relationship between breast-feeding, co-sleeping, and somatic complaints in early childhood. An opportunity sample of 98 parents from the general population with children aged 18 to 60 months consented to participate in the study. Each parent completed a series of questionnaires measuring somatic complaints, sleep problems, co-sleeping, breast-feeding, and demographic factors. Findings indicated that co-sleeping was associated with increased somatic complaints and that breast-feeding associated with decreased somatic complaints. Co-sleeping also was found to be associated with an increase in sleep problems. Boys demonstrated significantly higher levels of sleep problems than did girls. These findings highlight the relationship between co-sleeping during early childhood, which could have implications for prevention, treatment, and intervention regarding somatic complaints and sleep problems in early childhood.

Male Sexual Aggressors in the British Prison Service: An Exploratory Study

The role and impact of previous experience of sexual abuse has not really been explored in prison rape literature beyond identifying it as a common feature within those who are abused. Literature concerning the perpetrator is under developed. In order to establish a better understanding of the sexual dynamics in British prisons among prison perpetrators, this exploratory qualitative study highlights the different types of perpetrator, their motivations and the factors that contribute towards sexual coercion in British prisons. Of the 43 ex-prisoner perpetrators who contributed to this study, the majority had conducted forced drug searches and had been prior victims of prison coercive sexual behaviour. Focus groups followed by a thematic analysis revealed 5 prison perpetrator typologies, including those who coerce for sexual reasons and/or for drugs. This paper has provided insight into how such behaviours could be minimised, thus emphasising the importance of understanding prison perpetrator activities for developing best practise and curtailing levels of coercive sexual behaviour in prison.

Cognitive and stress vulnerabilities towards obsessive-compulsive disorder amongst British, Iranian and Lithuanian adolescents

ABSTRACT Development and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is closely associated with dysfunctional beliefs. Cognitive vulnerability to obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms may differ across cultures. The study examined the interrelationships between obsessive-compulsive symptoms, obsessional beliefs and stress, and compared the level of OCD symptom presentation among adolescents in Iran, Lithuania and the UK. A non-clinical sample of 165 adolescents (59 in Iran, 55 in Lithuania and 51 in the UK) between ages of 15 and 18 years were investigated. The questionnaires included the Hassle Scale for Children, the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory. Findings demonstrated a positive correlation between OC symptoms and beliefs, while daily stress measures showed no significant contribution to the level of symptom presentation. Obsessive-compulsive-related differences were apparent among this culturally unique adolescent sample, where Iranian scores showed comparatively higher vulnerability towards the OCD than British and Lithuanian adolescents. Findings of this study demonstrate the importance of cross-cultural variations in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and highlighted vulnerability factors to OCD phenomena.

Grief, after death communications and childhood abuse: two substance use case reports

The following two case reports discuss the effect of grief on their drug-use behaviour. Both case descriptions of substance use disorders are comorbid with depression and/or an anxiety-related disorder. Case 1 and 2 have a history of childhood sexual and physical abuse and report multiple drug relapses as a consequence of unresolved grief associated with the abuse. The maladaptive grief process of case 1 and 2 had presented itself in the subjective belief of having after death communications with the deceased. The application of cognitive behavioural techniques driven by psychodynamic insights, revealed a relationship between the grief experienced, childhood abuse and the use of prescription medication and illicit drug use. The case descriptions of grief are discussed in the context of substance misuse, mental health and the triggers associated with relapse in an attempt to further our understanding of substance abuse and therapy.