Improvement of first-time parents' depressive symptoms, using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale as a proxy Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
The proposed study will be a two-arm, cluster-randomized, controlled trial with longitudinal observational follow-up. The active intervention comprises of customized, weekly recommendations of short (
Sponsors
Institute for Human Development and Potential, A*STAR
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
21 Years to 75 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Current inclusion criteria as of 13/03/2026: Mothers: 1. 21–50 years of age 2. Less than 20 weeks of pregnancy, confirmed by ultrasonography upon enrolment 3. Singleton pregnancy 4. Nulliparous 5. Plan to deliver in Singapore 6. Proficient and able to respond to questionnaires in English 7. Intends for herself and her child to stay in Singapore for the next 2 years 8. Access to a smartphone 9. Willing to download the study app 10. Score of 7 or more in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Fathers: 1. 21–75 years of age 2. Proficient and able to respond to questionnaires in English 3. Intends for himself and his child to stay in Singapore for the next 2 years 4. Access to a smartphone 5. Willing to download the study app Previous inclusion criteria: Mothers: 1. 21–50 years of age 2. Less than 15 weeks of pregnancy, confirmed by ultrasonography upon enrolment 3. Singleton pregnancy 4. Nulliparous 5. Plan to deliver in Singapore 6. Proficient and able to respond to questionnaires in English 7. Intends for herself and her child to stay in Singapore for the next 2 years 8. Access to a smartphone 9. Willing to download the study app 10. Score of 7 or more in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Fathers: 1. 21–75 years of age 2. Proficient and able to respond to questionnaires in English 3. Intends for himself and his child to stay in Singapore for the next 2 years 4. Access to a smartphone 5. Willing to download the study app
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Mothers: 1. Any pre-existing or history of psychotic depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders 2. Currently on oral/IV steroids and/or thyroid medication 3. History of thyroid disease 4. Pregnant using assisted reproductive technologies 5. Multiple pregnancies 6. Currently enrolled in interventional randomised controlled trials 7. Responded "Yes, quite often" to EPDS item 10 ("The thought of harming myself has occurred to me") Fathers: 1. Currently enrolled in interventional randomised controlled trials
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Current primary outcomes as of 13/03/2026: Parents' level of depressive symptoms measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, administered upon enrollment, once at 21-24 gestation weeks, once at 28-32 weeks, once at 37-40 gestation weeks, and postnatal 1-, 3-, and 6-months. A composite outcome of the three postnatal EPDS measurements will be used as a primary outcome assessment. Previous primary outcomes: Parents' level of depressive symptoms measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, administered upon enrollment, once at 16-20 gestation weeks, once at 24-28 weeks, once at 37-40 gestation weeks, and postnatal 1-, 3-, and 6-months. A composite outcome of the three postnatal EPDS measurements will be used as a primary outcome assessment. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Current secondary outcomes as of 13/03/2026: Examining self-reported parental emotional regulation skills measured using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, administered upon enrollment, once at 21-24 gestation weeks, once at 28-32 weeks, once at 37-40 gestation weeks, and postnatal 1-, 3-, and 6-months. Previous secondary outcomes: Examining self-reported parental emotional regulation skills measured using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, administered upon enrollment, once at 16-20 gestation weeks, once at 24-28 weeks, once at 37-40 gestation weeks, and postnatal 1-, 3-, and 6-months. | — |
Countries
Singapore
Contacts
Public ContactSanthi Ponmudi
Outcome results
None listed