None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Post-natal depression affects a mother's wellbeing and also has developmental and emotional risks for her child. More research is urgently required on interventions employing combined treatment for post-natal depression and the parenting relationship. This study trials an adapted interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for post-natal depression which incorporates a focus on the mother-child relationship and uses attachment theory to inform that focus where required. The study is a controlled trial with cluster-allocation of participants identified by their maternal and child health nurse as being at risk. Participants who meet criteria for post-natal depression will be allocation in groups of between three and five to either a group therapy of a 10-week IPT with mother-child content (IPT-MC), or to treatment as usual via their maternal and child health nurse. The trial addresses the need for investigations into combined mother-child relational and mood interventions. It recognises difficulties associated with the recruitment of new mothers suffering from depression and attempts strategies to overcome these barriers to care.
Interventions
The study is a controlled trial with cluster allocation of participants identified by their maternal and child health nurse as being at risk of mood disorder. Participants who meet SCID criteria for major depressive episode (post partum onset) will be cluster allocated in groups of between three and five to one of two conditions: either treatment as usual via their maternal and child health nurse; or treatment as usual PLUS a group therapy of a 10-week Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) with moth
The study is a controlled trial with cluster allocation of participants identified by their maternal and child health nurse as being at risk of mood disorder. Participants who meet SCID criteria for major depressive episode (post partum onset) will be cluster allocated in groups of between three and five to one of two conditions: either treatment as usual via their maternal and child health nurse; or treatment as usual PLUS a group therapy of a 10-week Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) with mother-child content (IPT-MC). Assessment will be made by mental health clinicians qualified to administer SCID (at least provisional psychologist status). Treatment: Group facilitators will be psychologists with specific training in IPT-MC. The intervention is 10 x weekly 1.5 hour session. There is an additional partners-only session for the partners of participants, conducted during either Week 7 or Week 8. This psychoeducational in nature only, providing information on PND and suggestions to support their spouse focussed on listening to requests for support, and emphasising both instrumental and emotional support as options. IPT focusses on communication strategies used by participants to gather, access, and negotiate both emotional and instrumental support. The sessions involve participants brainstorming and working on communication strategies. Particular focus is paid to the role transition to parenthood and how that affects social support; communication with the new baby; communication with their partner; and communication with other social supports. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all 10 sessions and monitored however are not excluded if they miss sessions.
Sponsors
The University of Melbourne
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Women with a SCID diagnosis of major depressive episode who are 18 years of age or older and have a child under 12 months at the commencement of the study, will be included.
Exclusion criteria
Women need to have a sufficient grasp of English to participate in a group therapy, and this will be determined by their ability to participate fully in the assessment interview. If they are unable to understand the content of any of the interview questions or are unable to verbally communicate their answers, they will be considered to not be able to benefit from a group therapy. Women will also be excluded if they fulfill any of the following criteria: current substance abuse, diagnosed manic/hypomanic episode or psychosis; current inpatient psychiatric admission; or participation with any of their children in an attachment-based mother-child intervention.
Outcome results
None listed