Couple-based Interpersonal Psychotherapy on Postnatal Depression and Family Sense of Coherence
Condition: Postnatal Depression
MeSH terms: Depression, Postpartum; Depression; Depressive Disorder
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Postnatal depression is a common public health problem which has long-term sequelae on the
      family and the infant's psychosocial development. Interpersonal psychotherapy has
      demonstrated its value as one of the most effective interventions for postnatal depression.
      The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy
      for first-time Chinese mothers and fathers on depressive symptoms, family sense of coherence,
      and marital relationships immediately after intervention and at 6 weeks and 6 months
      postpartum.
    

Detailed description: 
      Background: Postnatal depression is a common public health problem which has long-term
      sequelae on the family and the infant's psychosocial development. Interpersonal psychotherapy
      has demonstrated its value as one of the most effective interventions for postnatal
      depression. Enhancement of family sense of coherence may be helpful for women who are at risk
      for postnatal depression. However, few studies in the context of Chinese parenthood have
      evaluated the effect of interpersonal psychotherapy on postnatal depression and the
      underlying mechanisms.

      Aim: To examine the effect of a couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy for first-time
      Chinese mothers and fathers on depressive symptoms (primary outcome), family sense of
      coherence (secondary outcome), and marital relationships (secondary outcome) immediately
      after intervention and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum.

      Method: A randomized controlled trial will be used to evaluate the effect of a couple-based
      interpersonal psychotherapy on depressive symptoms (primary outcome), family sense of
      coherence (secondary outcome), and marital relationships (secondary outcome) immediately
      after intervention and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. A convenience sample of 125
      couples will be recruited at the antenatal clinics and randomly assigned to either
      experimental or control group. The experimental group will receive the intervention in
      addition to the standard perinatal care, while the control group will only receive the
      standard perinatal care.

      Intervention: The intervention consists of three weekly 2-hour antenatal sessions using an
      interpersonal psychotherapy approach that focused on enhancement of family sense of coherence
      and two telephone follow-ups within the first four weeks after delivery.

      Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure of postnatal depression will be assessed by the
      Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Secondary outcome measures of family sense of coherence
      and the marital relationship, will be assessed by the Family Sense of Coherence Scale and
      Dyadic Adjustment, respectively, at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 6 weeks and 6
      months postpartum.

      Data analysis: Linear mixed models will be used to test for significant differences between
      the groups on outcome variables.
    

Intervention name(s): Couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The contents include: (1) an overview of changes associated with the role transition of parenthood and an introduction to the coping skills relating to role transition and parenting; (2) discussing common postpartum and interpersonal difficulties, such as conflicts with partners or extended family, and teaching effective communication skills to resolve interpersonal conflicts and maintain a good interpersonal relationship; and (3) building family strengths and resources by enhancing family sense of coherence, such as reassessing the challenges of the new role, applying problem solving techniques to deal with role transition and interpersonal problems, and developing new social support.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple (Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Postnatal depression, interpersonal psychotherapy