By: Lindsay Jeffords

Dr. Jennifer Barkin is a psychiatric epidemiologist by training and the developer of the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning, a 20-item self-report measure of postpartum maternal functioning. The tool has been translated into 23 languages and implemented internationally and across sectors (commercial, non-profit, clinical, academia). She is also the Associate Dean for Research at East Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Performance. Dr. Barkin is an academic, an entrepreneur, and a mother of two. She is a recognized expert in the field of maternal mental health and was among the early researchers examining the impacts of climate change on maternal mental health.

You were considered a pioneer and a thought leader in your field very early on in your career. How do you stay motivated to keep creating and achieving?

First, thank you. Second, I always knew that if I focused on a subject that I loved, that “working” wouldn’t feel like work. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that maternal child health work gives back. Being able to give a struggling mother a car seat or collaborating with organizations like the Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank (convened by the Georgia Health Initiative) or Fundación Naceran (Santiago, Chile) that are supporting disadvantaged families is tough to beat in terms of sense of purpose. Are there frustrations and setbacks? Absolutely. But there is satisfaction in feeling like you are contributing to a greater good, and that feeling counteracts some of the other daily wear and tear of adulthood. My fellow MCH colleagues and mentees also energize me to keep moving and creating. And, of course, I learn something new every time a new organization implements the Barkin Index. It is the gift that keeps giving. I am thankful every day for the training I received as a doctoral student (and postdoc) at the University of Pittsburgh, where my committee poured into me and spared no expense in applying their energy to the cause.

You were an early adopter of the idea that climate change would have an impact on maternal mental health. Can you comment on your work in this area?

I developed the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning before I became a mother, so I have always had a heightened empathy for mothers and the incredible mental load they bear. I started thinking about it more when my kids said they didn’t feel good during recess at school; that spring, we experienced record-breaking heat. I called the school and requested that they have the option to go inside during extreme heat on the playground. From there, it expanded. I got curious about the stress of giving birth in an evacuation center or losing your medical home during pregnancy. At first, when I would talk to the media, the only group they were interested in was children. I would have to force mothers into the conversation. But I knew it would eventually catch up, and shortly after, I was interviewed by The Hill, the Fuller Project, and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) about the impacts of climate change on perinatal mental health. One of my mentors at Pitt used to say, “If you are on the cutting edge, you better expect to bleed.” That phrase has echoed in my head throughout my career.

You seem to enjoy mentoring and developing other professionals. What advice would you give young female scientists, having already walked this path?

Trust yourself, know your value, and take smart, calculated risks. Fortune truly does favor the bold. Not everyone will like you, no matter how nice you are to them, and you have to get comfortable with that. Surround yourself with talent and sideline your ego so you can learn. There is strength in humility, but also smart strategy in the discerning use of social media and self-promotion. As you get busier, your ability to prioritize and manage your time efficiently becomes increasingly important. Help as many people as you can, but there is also no shame in backing a winner, or a winning idea.

What is the next step for the Barkin Index?

What I would love to see is the development of a companion therapy for the Barkin Index to help women function to the best of their ability. You might go to a chiropractor when you are out of alignment. Where can women go when they need a functional tune-up?

Dr. Barkin doesn’t suggest that a focus on functioning should supplant diagnosis or depression/anxiety treatment. However, the BIMF’s expanding reach suggests a move away from rigid models and toward care that adjusts to women, not the other way around.