Depression
Conditions
Keywords
Adolescents, Depression, postpartum
Brief summary
This study will aim to prevent postpartum depression in pregnant teenagers through an interpersonal therapy-based program.
Detailed description
Postpartum depression is believed to be one of the most common complications after pregnancy. This type of depression often occurs within the first year after the baby is born and is most likely caused by dramatic changes in hormone levels after pregnancy. Pregnant teenagers are even more at risk for experiencing complications throughout pregnancy and parenting difficulties after delivery. Minimal research has been done on preventive ways to reduce postpartum depression in teenagers. Therefore, this study will evaluate the effectiveness of an interpersonal therapy-based program at preventing postpartum depression in financially disadvantaged pregnant teenagers. Participants will first undergo a 15-minute interview about their background and emotions. Participants will undergo a second interview and then be randomly assigned to receive either interpersonal therapy-based treatment or standard care. Participants assigned to receive interpersonal therapy-based treatment will focus on the psychological aspects of pregnancy and factors that may play a role in the development of postpartum depression in teenage mothers, such as poor social support, role transitions, and life stressors. Participants assigned to receive standard care will focus more on the health issues associated with pregnancy and postpartum. Both groups will attend weekly 1-hour sessions for 5 weeks. Homework may be assigned to review topics discussed, and all participants will receive the book Baby Basics. Following treatment, participants will meet with researchers again when they are 34 to 36 weeks pregnant; in the hospital after the baby is born; and 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the baby is born.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALInterpersonal therapy-based treatment
Participants assigned to receive interpersonal therapy-based treatment will focus on the psychological aspects of pregnancy and factors that may play a role in the development of postpartum depression in teenage mothers, such as poor social support, role transitions, and life stressors. Both groups will attend weekly 1-hour sessions for 5 weeks.
BEHAVIORALStandard care
Participants assigned to receive standard care will focus more on the health issues associated with pregnancy and postpartum. Both groups will attend weekly 1-hour sessions for 5 weeks.
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
12 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Less than 24 weeks pregnant * Not currently being treated for depression * Speaks and reads English fluently
Exclusion criteria
* Currently receiving mental health services from a health care provider * Meets DSM-IV criteria for an affective disorder, substance use disorder, or psychosis
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Postpartum depression diagnosis | Measured at pretreatment; Weeks 34 to 36 during pregnancy; hospital stay after delivery; and Weeks 6, 12, and 24 postpartum |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Degree of depressive symptoms | Measured at pretreatment; Weeks 34 to 36 during pregnancy; hospital stay after delivery; and Weeks 6, 12, and 24 postpartum |
| Prenatal distress | Measured at pretreatment; Weeks 34 to 36 during pregnancy; hospital stay after delivery; and Weeks 6, 12, and 24 postpartum |
| Social support | Measured at pretreatment; Weeks 34 to 36 during pregnancy; hospital stay after delivery; and Weeks 6, 12, and 24 postpartum |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed