Group Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will compare standard individual treatment to group therapy for the treatment of postpartum depression.

Detailed Description
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Ten to twenty percent of new mothers experience major depression in the postpartum period or postpartum depression (PPD). This condition poses a risk for disturbances in the mother-infant relationship as well as for developmental delays and subsequent psychopathology in their children. Thus, and investigation of the efficacy of a relational approach that focuses on improving the mother's sense of competence in the parenting role, and reducing depressive symptoms and social isolation through group therapy is warranted. Patients are randomly assigned to either relational group treatment or to standard individual treatment. Assessments of maternal and infant functioning, mother-infant and father-infant relations, parenting stress, and marital conflict and conducted pre- and post-treatment, at 12 months post-treatment, and when infants are 12 and 24 months of age.

Official Title
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Relational Group Intervention for Postpartum Depression

Conditions
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Depression, Postpartum

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Mother-Infant Group Psychotherapy
* Behavioral: Interpersonal Psychotherapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Major depression with an infant under 7 months of age Exclusion Criteria: Bipolar disorder Schizophrenia Organic brain syndrome Antisocial personality disorder Current psychosis or mania Lifetime history of mental retardation Current alcohol or substance abuse Cognitive disability Infants born more than 6 weeks premature or with major medical conditions or developmental disabilities

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 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: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: 1 M-ITG<br>Mother-infant group psychotherapy | Behavioral: Mother-Infant Group Psychotherapy<br>* Mother-infant group psychotherapy consists of weekly 2.5-hour psychotherapy sessions comprised of mother's group therapy, infant developmental therapy, and mother-infant dyadic psychotherapy. Group treatment will last 15 weeks.<br>|
| Active Comparator: 2 - IPT<br>Individual interpersonal psychotherapy | Behavioral: Interpersonal Psychotherapy<br>* Individual psychotherapy treatment focuses on role transition, interpersonal relationships, and loss. Individual treatment period will last 15 weeks.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reduction of depression as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) |  | Measured at post-treatment and Month 12 follow-up | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Improvement in parent-infant interactions as measured by the Early Relational Assessment (ERA) |  | Measured at post-treatment, Month 12 follow-up, and 12 and 24 months of age |