Efficacy of the SMS4dads text messaging program in reducing depression and anxiety in new fathers, a randomised controlled trial.

None listed

The perinatal period is a risky time for the mental health of fathers and this has important implications for them and their families. Fathers who experience psychological distress in the perinatal period are often isolated, unsupported, and uninformed about the need to seek help and how to go about it. Following previous research demonstrating that message content, and the processes used to operate SMS4dads are acceptable to fathers during their transition to parenthood, this multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to test the efficacy of SMS4dads. In this study the investigators will assess, using validated scales, the influence that SMS4dads has on key indicators of how well a father is coping with the transition to parenthood. These indicators include paternal depression, anxiety and distress, a sense of co-parenting quality, perceptions of parenting confidence, and reported alcohol consumption. Fathers will complete surveys at entry to the study, after 6 months and at 12 months after their child is born. Participants will be randomised into either an intervention arm (where they will receive messages and links, identical to those used in the previous phases of this research from 16 weeks pregnant to 12 months after birth) or to a control – wait list – arm, where they receive generic health messages for six months before being switched to recive intervention messages.. The intervention messages will provide fathers with information, motivation and practical advice on his relationships with his child, his partner and himself. Fathers, in the intervention arm will also be asked to keep track of their mood during the study by submitting information to SMS4dads on how well they are travelling. When fathers submit this information they will receive texts, of encouragement or support, which have been tailored to the response options. If this information indicates that a father is experiencing high levels of psychological distress an escalation system will be activated linking him to perinatal services offering telephone based counseling and support. The aim of this component of the project is to offer appropriate services to those in need but to also test whether fathers who report high levels of distress take the opportunity to access these services. Mothers will also be invited to participate if their partner is enrolled. The project will assess maternal distress at one time point (entry) to determine interactions between the intervention and levels of maternal depression, anxiety, and distress.