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☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Breastfeeding and later depression and anxiety in mothers in Ireland: a 10-year prospective observational study

Por: McNestry · C. · OReilly · S. L. · Twomey · P. J. · Crowley · R. K. · Callanan · S. · Kasemiire · A. · Douglass · A. · Delahunt · A. · McAuliffe · F. M. — Enero 8th 2026 at 23:30
Objectives

Although breastfeeding is associated with lower postnatal depression and anxiety, limited research exists regarding long-term maternal mental health outcomes. This study examined the association between breastfeeding and depression and anxiety in women of later reproductive age (mid 30s to menopause).

Design

This was a 10-year prospective longitudinal cohort study. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect lifetime breastfeeding behaviour at 10 years, and health history including depression, anxiety and medication use was collected at each study timepoint.

Setting

A tertiary level maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Participants

168 parous women from the ROLO Longitudinal Cohort with lifetime breastfeeding behaviour and health history data available at 10 years were included (22% of total cohort). Women currently pregnant or breastfeeding at 10-year follow-up were excluded.

Results

Mean (SD) age at study end was 42.4 (3.8) years. 72.6% (n=122) of women reported ever breastfeeding. Median lifetime exclusive breastfeeding was 5.5 weeks (IQR 35.8, range 0–190). 37.5% of women (n=63) breastfed for ≥12 months over their lifetime. 13.1% (n=22) reported depression or anxiety at 10 years, and 20.8% (n=35) reported depression or anxiety over the whole study period. Ever breastfeeding was associated with less depression and anxiety at 10 years (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.94, p=0.04). Ever breastfeeding, longer exclusive breastfeeding and lifetime breastfeeding ≥12 months were associated with lower depression and anxiety over the whole study period (ever breastfeeding OR 0.4, p=0.03; exclusive breastfeeding OR 0.98/week, p=0.03; lifetime breastfeeding ≥12 months OR 0.38, p=0.04).

Conclusion

There may be a protective association between breastfeeding and self-reported depression and anxiety. Further studies are required to confirm the findings.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN54392969.

☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Advanced Nursing

Implementation of Positive Advanced Recovery Connections in Primary and Secondary Mental Health Care—A Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner‐Led Initiative

Por: A. Cunningham · D. De La Harpe Golden · M. Pink · E. Truszkowska · T. Byrne · C. Murphy · A. Strahann · C. Doyle · A. Kasemiire · T. Frawley — Octubre 18th 2025 at 19:05

ABSTRACT

Aim(s)

This study reports on the implementation of a registered advanced nurse practitioner intervention. Aims include improving access, service user outcomes and integration between primary and secondary care.

Design

This paper reports the quantitative results of a mixed methods implementation study. Qualitative data are reported separately. The PARiHS framework informs the implementation process itself, with considerations for nurses and other healthcare professionals explored.

Methods

The CORE-OM 34 item rating scale was administered both pre- and post-intervention. Service user attendances in secondary care was monitored.

Results

Findings suggest that the intervention was associated with clinically significant improvements in global or generic distress, reported by service users, as evidenced by changes in the CORE-OM scores. Access to care was recorded at an average of 3.6 days. Implementation science supported effective and safe implementation with clear governance structures.

Conclusion

Registered advanced nurse practice in mental health clinics which provide full episodes of care results in improved integration and may be associated with positive patient outcomes. Implementation science is taught on Irish nursing programmes and this is important if innovative services are to be embedded in the healthcare system.

Impact

The development of a model of care for mental health Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners at the interface of primary and secondary care settings may be merited. Positive Advanced Recovery Connections may be associated with improving mental health outcomes and bolstering integration of primary and secondary care services. The utilisation of implementation science highlights the need for collaboration with all stakeholders to overcome barriers and recognise facilitators to attain the necessary model of integrated care.

Patient and Public Contribution

Peer recovery input was provided by members of the service Recovery College, with participation evident in all stages of the project. The psychosocial assessment template was also co-designed.

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