EXAMINING CHANGES IN MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AND INFANT BEHAVIOUR AFTER PEER-DELIVERED TREATMENT FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 20% of mothers and birthing parents, yet only 1 in 10 receive evidence-based treatment. Left untreated, PPD increases the risk of future depressive episodes, familial disharmony, and offspring problems. This study sought to determine if an online 9-week group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention delivered by mothers who have recovered from postpartum depression (i.e., peers) can effectively improve PPD, anxiety, social support, the mother-infant relationship, and infant temperament in those with PPD. Methodology: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 183 participants were randomized into experimental (received intervention at baseline plus treatment as usual (TAU)) and waitlist control (TAU plus the intervention after a 9-week wait) groups. Participants were ≥18 years of age, had an infant <12 months old, were fluent in English and scored ≥10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Depression, anxiety, social support, mother-infant bonding, and infant behaviour were reported by all mothers at enrollment and 9-weeks later, and three months after that in the experimental group. Results: Participants in the experimental group experienced clinically and statistically significant improvements in PPD and anxiety post-treatment and three months later. Perceptions of social support, infant-focused anxiety, and negative emotionality in infants also improved immediately post-intervention and remained stable three months later in the experimental group. Conclusion: Online peer-delivered group CBT for PPD can effectively treat PPD and anxiety, as well as improve social support, the mother-infant relationship, and infant temperament. Online Peer-Delivered Group CBT for PPD is a novel approach to service delivery that can increase treatment uptake, providing mothers experiencing PPD with access to a credible and engaging source of help, and has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of PPD in Canada and around the world.