Effects of a brief psychoanalytic intervention for perinatal depression

Abstract

This pilot study explores the effects of a brief individual psychoanalytic therapy on perinatal depressive symptoms. This intervention is based on the Geneva's mother-infant intervention model. A sample of 129 pregnant women was recruited in Geneva (Switzerland) and screened for depressive symptoms with two instruments: the 'Edinburgh postnatal depression scale' (EPDS) and the 'Dépistage anténatal de la dépression postnatale'. A group of 40 women presenting depressive symptoms (treatment group) participated in a four-session intervention called 'Psychotherapy centred on parenthood (PCP)'. It consists in two antenatal and two postnatal sessions and is focussed on changing problematic representations of parenthood. This treatment group was compared to a control group of 88 women without depressive symptoms and following the usual obstetrical care. The main outcome measure was EPDS at 3 and 6 months after delivery. The 'Global assessment functioning scale' was administered at the end of each therapeutic session. The 'Parent-infant relationship global assessment scale' was administered at the two postnatal sessions in order to explore if PCP was also effective in preventing the potential negative effects of depression on mother-infant relationship. Results show that in the treatment group (N = 31), EPDS scores dropped from 12.8 to 4.8; none of these women met the EPDS cut-off score of 12 at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Mother-infant relationship was well adapted for all 31 dyads at the end of the intervention. These results suggest that PCP is a promising intervention for treating perinatal depression and helping mothers engaging in parenting.

Parent-infant interactions in families with women diagnosed with postnatal depression: a longitudinal study on the effects of a psychodynamic treatment

“…In a recent study of mothers with PND, Nanzer et al (2012) found that short-term parent–child treatments with a psychodynamic approach seem to be particularly appropriate for the perinatal period because they are focused on parenthood and on the difficulties faced in relation to the identity change that becoming a parent brings. The authors found that by discussing and modifying distorted maternal representations, treatment can reduce the mother’s sense of guilt and depression and anxiety symptoms related to it.…”

Development of a screening and recruitment registry to facilitate perinatal depression research in obstetrics settings in the USA

“…Some studies have reported on rates of agreement to participate in intervention trials among women already screened for perinatal depression [16,17], but few have recorded rates of agreement to screening procedures themselves among women attending obstetrics clinics who are approached to participate in research [18–20]. Consequently, the findings of research studies that target pregnant women who are experiencing depression (particularly untreated major depressive disorder) are often limited by small or homogeneous sample populations [21,22].…”

Maternal psychological state and infant’s temperament at three months

“…Considering the potential risks related to prenatal maternal emotional distress, the findings of the study add to literature highlighting the relevance of early detection and intervention. Regarding this, a recent study (Clatworthy, 2012) has supported the effectiveness of intervention starting in the prenatal period to prevent postnatal depression in high-risk women, while other authors have successfully tested the efficiency of a brief perinatal intervention centred on parenthood to foster the parent-infant relationship (Nanzer et al, 2012).…”