parenting skills group for mothers with postpartum depression

Conditions: Postpartum Depression

Summary: the goal of this longitudinal study is to study the effects of a parenting skills group (circle of security parenting, aka cosp) in mothers with postpartum depression. the main questions it aims to answer are: * will changes in methylation of the oxtr rs53576 be apparent in mother and/or infant after having gone through the 8-week cosp program? * will cosp participation be associated with improved symptoms of postpartum depression (over and above standard care), attachment style, and relational characteristics of the mother-infant dyad? * will cosp participation be associated with changes in social behavior in the infant, and if so, do they persist throughout childhood? participants will * participate in an 8-week cosp program delivered remotely via zoom. * provide buccal swabs (mother and infant) to assess changes in methylation of oxtr rs53576 pre- versus post-intervention. * complete a series of assessment questionnaires delivered remotely. * videotape a play-based assessment in their home. * receive infant developmental testing researchers will compare characteristics of waitlist controls to those participating in the cosp program at the mid-way point of the program to see if the two groups differ.

the primary aims of this study are to 1) better understand the biological/genetic mechanisms and processes of behavior change in mothers and babies relating to oxytocin receptor gene methylation; 2) complete an outcome assessment of the efficacy of the cosp intervention using a tele-health format, specifically in relation to treating maternal depression; 3) to better understand the mechanisms and processes of change in relation to maternal and infant co-regulation achieved through the promotion of a secure attachment between mothers and their at-risk infants, and to understand how these processes form a trajectory of behavioral outcomes in kindergarten. the cosp program lasts for 8 weeks and will be delivered via zoom. researchers will collect a variety of data including biological samples, self-report questionnaires, developmental assessment, and direct observation to assess predictors and outcomes relating to participation in the cosp program. data will be collected prior to starting cosp, half-way through participation, after having completed the program, and at several timepoints following completion.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * mothers aged 18-50 years old with infants aged 3-14 months old * mothers who are experiencing symptoms of depression and mothers who are not experiencing symptoms of depression (non-depressed controls) are encouraged to participate. (please note that mothers who are experiencing active depression and who are not already being treated under the care of a qualified healthcare provider (i.e. through therapy or psychopharmacological intervention) will be referred for such treatment prior to being enrolled in the study. this study is not a replacement for professional management of depression or other mental health symptoms. exclusion criteria: * mothers with severe psychopathology (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, among others) * infants with major medical problems that may interfere with a mother's ability to participate in and benefit from the intervention