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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00436150

Interpersonal Therapy-Based Treatment to Prevent Postpartum Depression in Adolescent Mothers

This study will aim to prevent postpartum depression in pregnant teenagers through an interpersonal therapy-based program.

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Key information

Conditions

Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression, Postpartum Depressive Disorder Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Mental Disorders Mood Disorders Pregnancy Complications Puerperal Disorders Urogenital Diseases

Age range

12 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island, 02905, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Interpersonal therapy-based treatment

Behavioral

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.

Other names: REACH

Standard Care

Behavioral

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.

Other names: Baby Basics

Primary outcomes

  1. Postpartum depression diagnosis

    Time frame: Measured at pretreatment; Weeks 34 to 36 during pregnancy; hospital stay after delivery; and Weeks 6, 12, and 24 postpartum

Secondary outcomes

  1. Degree of depressive symptoms

    Time frame: Measured at pretreatment; Weeks 34 to 36 during pregnancy; hospital stay after delivery; and Weeks 6, 12, and 24 postpartum

  2. Prenatal distress

    Time frame: Measured at pretreatment; Weeks 34 to 36 during pregnancy; hospital stay after delivery; and Weeks 6, 12, and 24 postpartum

  3. Social support

    Time frame: Measured at pretreatment; Weeks 34 to 36 during pregnancy; hospital stay after delivery; and Weeks 6, 12, and 24 postpartum

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Registry information

Official study title

Preventing Postpartum Depression in Adolescent Mothers

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Feb 16, 2007
Registry last updated
Mar 12, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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