The Psychosocial and Healthcare Utilisation Experiences of Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus From Diagnosis to 12 Months Postnatal: A Protocol for a Qualitative, Longitudinal Interview Study
Open accessAbstract
Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects a significant and growing proportion of women each year. We know little about how their needs and experiences change over the perinatal period. This study aims to explore the psychosocial and healthcare experiences of women with a GDM diagnosis from pregnancy to 12‐month postnatal. Methods: This is a qualitative, longitudinal study comprising of individual interviews with women diagnosed with GDM who live in the UK at three time points: 35‐weeks’ gestation; 3‐months postnatal; 12‐months postnatal. Data will be analysed using template analysis. Comparisons will be made both between participants and timepoints to allow for biographical and temporal interpretations. Results: This study will provide in‐depth insights into women's lived‐experiences, psychosocial needs, and interactions with healthcare services. Particular attention will be given to the transition between antenatal and postnatal periods. Conclusion: Study findings will support the co‐development of a tailored mother‐infant dyad intervention grounded in women's needs and preferences across the perinatal period, aimed at improving long‐term health outcomes for women and their children with a focus on diabetes prevention.
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The protocol for this study has been published.
“The protocol for this study has been published [30].”
From Preconception Perceptions, Knowledge and Behaviours of Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Qualitative Study (2026) · cites this paper as [30]
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Cited by
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Payne, E., Schoenaker, D., Turner, K., Murphy, H. R., Skouteris, H., Ismail, K., Silverio, S. A., & Benton, M. (2026) · Health Expectations · doi:10.1111/hex.70617 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Benton, M., Payne, E., Waheed, N., Turner, K., Murphy, H. R., Skouteris, H., Ismail, K., & Silverio, S. A.
- Affiliations
- King's College London (GB)
- University of Liverpool (GB)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- University of East Anglia (GB)
- University of Warwick (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Benton, Madeleine
- ORCID
- Venue
- International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2025-09
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- e70038-e70038
- ISSN
- 1049-8931 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-0657
- PMC
- PMC12426312
- OpenAlex
- W4414149102
- Cited by
- 0
- References
- 6
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Explore Bristol Research (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR304430)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Education
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- gestational diabetes mellitus, women's experiences, psychosocial needs, health care utilization, prenatal care, postpartum care, perinatal period, diabetes prevention
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Pregnancy, Diabetes, Gestational, Qualitative Research
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