Date of Submission

Fall 12-11-2025

Document Type

Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Dr. Jo Loomis

Second Advisor

Dr. Deepika Goyal

Abstract

The maternal mental health (MMH) crisis, affecting up to 25% of birthing individuals, is exacerbated by significant gaps in perinatal support. While birth workers are uniquely positioned to provide care, they often lack specialized training beyond basic screening checklists to address the complex transition to motherhood, defined as matrescence. This clinical innovation proposal outlines a matrescence-informed educational curriculum, guided by the Comprehensive Model of Mental Health during the Perinatal Period. The intervention is designed to build tangible, implementable skills, training birth workers to: (1) operationalize matrescence as a psychoeducational tool to normalize distress; (2) use clinical differentiation to distinguish the normative developmental challenges of matrescence from the symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs); and (3) facilitate structural support and timely, effective referrals. This scalable model enhances early PMAD detection, reduces stigma, and prepares birth workers to support the mother-infant dyad holistically.

Keywords: matrescence, maternal mental health, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, professional development, birth worker

Download

Share

COinS