Donovan Jones
The University of Newcastle, Australia
Title: Mindfulness for men with pregnant partners
Biography
Biography: Donovan Jones
Abstract
The emotional wellbeing of men with pregnant partners is central to supporting both the woman and the child (Bergstrom, 2013; Wynter, Rowe, & Fisher, 2013). There is substantive evidence to support that high levels of stress are as prevalent for men as women in the perinatal period, with men being as likely to suffer stressors associated with pregnancy as their pregnant partners (Wynter et al., 2013). Depressive or anxious episodes experienced by men as a result of stressors in pregnancy increase the possibility of anger being expressed physically (Bergstrom, 2013). Negative results of anger experienced during pregnancy can then lead or contribute to a decrease in physical and emotional wellbeing of the woman that has a cascade effect on the child, family and community. The use of mindfulness interventions for men with pregnant partners provides the possibility to change emotions and behaviours that unchallenged might otherwise have the potential to manifest into stress, anger and violence. An improved ability to cope with stressors is postulated to improve wellbeing and decrease the chance of stress and anger becoming uncontrollable. Escalation of unmanaged anger during the perinatal period can also potentially lead to domestic violence; mindfulness interventions postulate a potential pathway for primary intervention in reducing intimate partner violence toward women during the perinatal period. Current literature on mindfulness interventions establishes positive outcomes across a variety of clinical and non-clinical populations. Reduction in the emotions of anger, anxiety and depression has been reported in literature on mindfulness interventions (Bergen, Possemato, & Pigeon, 2014; Kearney, McDermott, Malte, Martinez, & Simpson, 2011; Mastrianno, 2012). However, there is currently a gap in the literature regarding whether mindfulness interventions can be used to support the emotion regulation and emotional wellbeing of men with pregnant partners. Accordingly a pilot research project is currently underway at the University of Newcastle in conjunction with Smiling Minds to trial the benefits of mindfulness for men with pregnant partners in an online environment. For further information on this pilot project please contact any of the authors.