Preventing Maternal Depression In Head Start

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Maternal depression disproportionately affects low-income and minority women, and has profound negative impacts on their children. The investigators are conducting a randomized trial of a systems approach to identify mothers at risk for depression in Head Start - a federally funded early learning program for children of low-income families - and to provide an on-site intervention to prevent or alleviate depressive symptoms; improve functioning; and, where appropriate, proactively link mothers to more definitive mental health services.

Detailed Description
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This study is one component of a series of studies that aims to develop a comprehensive system of maternal depression prevention and management within Head Start. In our March 2014 review of the CT.gov protocol, we synchronized it with our institution's IRB protocol, which had been modified based on how the individual studies within this series relate to one another. Specifically, the original IRB protocol combined two studies into one: a 'main' depression prevention trial (n=230, R01MH091871), and a small adjunct pilot aimed at referring those with symptoms of major depression to further care (n=60). Thus, the original CT.gov protocol included subjects both at risk for depression and with symptoms consistent with major depression. When the latter pilot study subsequently received external funding, we separated the two studies into two IRB protocols, and thus have adjusted our CT.gov protocol to the appropriate sample size of 230, and indicated symptoms of major depression as an exclusion criterion for the prevention trial. Because Major Depressive Episode was inadvertently listed as a primary outcome measure for the prevention trial (and PTSD and Anxiety as secondary outcome measures), we have removed them as such and listed it under 'other' outcomes, thereby aligning the CT.gov protocol with the statistical analysis plan of the original grant application and IRB protocol. Lastly, we corrected administrative errors in the study's projected end date and masking design.

Official Title
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Preventing Maternal Depression In Head Start

Conditions
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Depression

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Problem Solving Education and Activated Referral to Care


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Family enrolled in Head Start, and child expected to attend Head Start activities for at least 6 months of the 12-month follow-up period. Family without imminent plans to relocate Mother is comfortable in English or Spanish. Parent/guardian who has a child that attends Head Start Child attending Head Start and is between the ages 0-5 Screen positive to 2-question depression screener (PHQ2), or have a past history of depression Ability to provide informed consent. Not suicidal Exclusion Criteria: High suicidal ideation Cognitive limitation Psychosis No known risks for depression Symptoms reflecting major depressive episode

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 15 Years
Maximum Age: 64 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Problem Solving Education<br> | Behavioral: Problem Solving Education and Activated Referral to Care<br>* The intervention represents an integrated identification and intervention system based on the evidence-based construct of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT). Within the comprehensive case management services of Head Start, eligible women will be randomized to receive either usual care or the Head Start-based intervention. In our intervention, mothers at risk for depression will receive a problem-solving intervention; depression symptom monitoring; and an Activated referral to more definitive services for those who have worsening symptoms over time.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Depression Symptoms | QIDS | 2 months | 
| Depression Symptoms | QIDS | 4 months | 
| Depression Symptoms | QIDS | 6 months | 
| Depression Symptoms | QIDS | 8 months | 
| Depression Symptoms | QIDS | 10 months | 
| Depression Symptoms | QIDS | 12 months | 
| Problem Solving Skills | Social Problem Solving Inventory | 6 months | 
| Problem Solving Skills | Social Problem Solving Inventory | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Social functioning | Social Adjustment Scale- Self-report | 6 months | 
| Parent functioning/stress | Parenting Stress Index; Perceived Stress Index | 6 months | 
| Head Start attendance | Head Start records, analyzed as monthly absence rates | 12 months | 
| Receipt of Mental Health Services |  | 12 months | 
| Social functioning | Social Adjustment Scale- Self-report | 12 months | 
| Parent functioning/stress | Parenting Stress Index, Perceived Stress Index | 12 months | 
| Child Behavior | Teacher Version of Social Skills Rating System | 6 months |