Date

2-13-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Laura Rolen

Keywords

Postpartum, Primary Care, Behavioral Healthcare, Holistic, Attitudes, Integrative Care, Women, Depression, Substance Use, Mental Health

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

There is an increase in substance use and mental health concerns among postpartum women. Although primary care, behavioral health, and integrative care services are available to postpartum women to increase wellness, these services are not being accessed. While there have been many barriers and challenges identified with postpartum women accessing services, stigma around services has been identified as the most common barrier. This led to looking at the attitudes that postpartum women have regarding accessing these services to improve wellness. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore postpartum women’s attitudes toward accessing behavioral health services, primary care services, and integrative care services to improve wellness. Surveys were completed by 25 women who reside in the United States, are over the age of 18, and have given birth within the last year in the United States. Themes from the responses provided on the surveys were analyzed and compared to determine postpartum women’s attitudes toward accessing primary care, behavioral health, and integrative care services. It was found that postpartum women’s attitudes toward accessing primary care services were overwhelmingly positive while their attitudes regarding accessing behavioral healthcare services and integrative healthcare services were mixed between positive and negative attitudes. These findings provide the healthcare community with a better understanding of how to increase access to care to support postpartum women in their wellness.

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