Discussing sexuality, contraception, family planning, pregnancy and parenthood in mental healthcare
AI Summary
Many MHPs accept responsibility for discussing reproductive health, but fewer routinely address family planning, contraception and pregnancy in practice.
Most MHPs feel competent, yet only a minority know methods or conversation techniques; enhanced training is needed.
Stronger collaboration with integrated and preconception care, plus expert consultations, would improve informed reproductive choices and mental health outcomes.
J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2026 May 20:1-16. doi: 10.1080/02646838.2026.2673381. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIM: Individuals with mental health concerns face additional risks in reproductive health. The responsibility of mental healthcare professionals (MHPs) in discussing reproductive health themes – including sexuality, contraception, family planning, pregnancy and parenthood (SCUFPP) – remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess MHPs’ opinions, practices, perceived competence and collaboration in discussing SCUFPP with patients.
METHODS: Data from 236 Dutch MHPs who completed a 22-item questionnaire on SCUFPP between January 2023 and August 2024 (survey A) were combined with data from 139 Dutch MHPs who completed a nationwide previous survey in May 2022 (survey B) on family planning, to deepen the exploration. Subgroup analyses included gender, age and experience.
RESULTS: In total, 55.5% of MHPs agree that family planning should be discussed with every patient of reproductive age, while 44.5% did not explicitly agree. Sexuality and parenthood were discussed more often than family planning, pregnancy and contraception. Older and more experienced MHPs initiated conversations more often. Most MHPs felt competent to discuss SCUFPP, while a minority (27.3%) was familiar with methods or conversation techniques. Female MHPs more often felt competent and expressed a greater need for education on pregnancy. Most MHPs valued collaboration with integrated and preconception care in mental healthcare.
CONCLUSION: These findings point to a gap between MHPs’ perceived responsibility and their ability to implement these conversations in practice. Enhanced training and collaboration with expert consultations in SCUFPP may improve MHPs’ responsibility in informed reproductive choices, enhancing mental health outcomes for patients.
PLoS One. 2026 May 20;21(5):e0345048. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345048. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTSocial norms define what is acceptable and appropriate for women and men, boys and girls, in a...
J Healthc Manag. 2026 May-Jun 01;71(3):199-211. doi: 10.1097/JHM-D-24-00249.ABSTRACTGOAL: Violence against psychiatric healthcare workers in inpatient units is prevalent and often the result of a series...
Horm Behav. 2026 May 20;182:105949. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2026.105949. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSocial play is a rewarding behavior shown across juvenile mammalian species and is important for...
JMIR Form Res. 2026 May 20;10:e64409. doi: 10.2196/64409.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) is an important aspect of every chronic disease, including interstitial lung disease (ILD)....
JMIR Form Res. 2026 May 20;10:e86698. doi: 10.2196/86698.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a mental disorder marked by persistent somatic symptoms and maladaptive health-related thoughts,...
JMIR Form Res. 2026 May 20;10:e90532. doi: 10.2196/90532.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Simple behavioral and cognitive actions can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, there is limited research...
