Enhancing parenting skills for women at risk of perinatal depression in a low-resource setting: a randomised controlled trial of Triple P for Baby

Study participants will participate in four, 2-hour weekly group sessions of Triple P for Baby (parenting intervention) in the third trimester of pregnancy, followed by four, 30-minute weekly individual telephone sessions delivered postnatally. In total, the intervention will be conducted in eight sessions. Triple P for Baby includes strategies for developing a positive relationship with the baby, teaching the baby new skills and behaviours, responding to the baby, dealing with baby’s crying, promoting positive sleep habits, dealing with unpleasant emotions, enhancing partner communication, maintaining relationship happiness, and sharing tasks. The program will be delivered by the principal investigator who is an accredited Triple P practitioner/psychologist, and the group sessions will be conducted within the antenatal care clinics at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. During the sessions, participants will engage interactively through discussions, group tasks, and role-plays. Participants will be assigned tasks to complete during the session and in-between sessions. Participants will be issued with the Triple P for Baby workbook (Spry, Morawska & Sanders, 2011) describing the session content and homework tasks-including filling in a behaviour monitoring chart and baby diary, which takes about 30 minutes for each day of the 7-day period. The facilitator will use a manual and session checklist to enhance strict adherence to the intervention protocol, and where possible an audio recording of the session will be done for assessment of fidelity. The facilitator manuals have been developed by Triple P International Pty Ltd, Australia and are readily available for purchase and use. The interventionist will receive regular clinical supervision from an accredited Triple P for Baby expert to ensure fidelity in content and program delivery.