Individual-oriented relationship education and postpartum depression: The impact of the MotherWise program.

Abstract

Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbearing and has serious negative impacts on both women and their children. Yet, due to stigma and barriers to accessing mental health care, many women do not engage in postpartum depression treatment. As a result, scholars have called for a shift in applied postpartum depression research from intervention to prevention in order to circumvent barriers to treatment and evade the negative consequences of this major public health issue. MotherWise is a community-based program for women who are pregnant or who have recently had a baby that combines an evidence-based relationship education curriculum developed for individuals (Within My Reach) with case management and information on infant care and parenting. Using data from medical charts, the present study evaluated the impact of MotherWise on postpartum depression, as well as history of depression, race, and ethnicity as moderators of these effects. The study sample included 425 women who enrolled in a larger randomized controlled trial of MotherWise during pregnancy. Results indicated that the program was associated with lower rates of positive postpartum depression screens among women without a history of depression, as well as among women who identify as Black or African American. The current project demonstrates the potential for individual-oriented relationship education programming to prevent postpartum depression among certain groups. Public Significance StatementIt is necessary to consider multiple prevention and treatment options for postpartum depression in order to circumvent barriers to treatment and mitigate the deleterious effects of this disorder on women and their families. This study highlights relationship education as a unique path forward in combatting this major public health issue.

Risk of Postpartum Depression: The Considerable Role of Maternal Health Status and Lifestyle

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) prioritizes a healthy diet, that is, nutrition, weight management, physical activity, planned pregnancy, and physical, mental, and psychosocial health for women of reproductive age [1][2][3][4][5]. (Women's health issues are complex, and collaborative efforts are required to unravel some of these complexities in order to support women through their reproductive experiences, to enhance health and well-being, and to ensure better maternal outcomes [6][7][8][9]. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common issue among childbearing women, as up to one in seven women will experience PPD [8,10,11].…”

“…(Women's health issues are complex, and collaborative efforts are required to unravel some of these complexities in order to support women through their reproductive experiences, to enhance health and well-being, and to ensure better maternal outcomes [6][7][8][9]. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common issue among childbearing women, as up to one in seven women will experience PPD [8,10,11]. PPD may develop within the first few weeks after a child's birth and can seriously impact women's health and well-being if left unrecognized and untreated [6].…”

“…PPD may develop within the first few weeks after a child's birth and can seriously impact women's health and well-being if left unrecognized and untreated [6]. PPD may also have a significant impact on women's ability to bond with their babies, breastfeed or care for them, or care for themselves and their families [6,8,11].…”

“…There are several well-documented risk factors that may exacerbate the potential development of PPD, including a prior history of depression and anxiety (either in pregnancy or previously) [6,8,11,12], a family history of mental illness, low levels of spousal support or family support [7,[11][12][13][14], isolation [7,15,16], infant health issues (including infants with special needs) or breastfeeding and maternal health challenges (including mode of birth or delivery, such as caesarean section or birth trauma) [12], unplanned pregnancy [12][13][14], difficulties with breastfeeding [12], chronic health issues, fatigue and poor sleep quality [3,14,17,18], significant life events (e.g., the death of a loved one, moving houses or job changes), and financial troubles [11,12,19,20].…”

Actor and partner effects of prenatal coparenting behavior on postpartum depression in first-time parents

“…Postpartum depression (PPD) is considered one of the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and can have adverse implications for the functioning of the parent, the couple relationship, the nature of the parent-infant bonding, and the development of the infant (Allen et al, 2023; Letourneau et al, 2017; Werner et al, 2015). With its obvious risk for all family members, researchers have been motivated to identify risk factors that can contribute to the development of PPD.…”