Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Randomized controlled trial to prevent postpartum depression in mothers on public assistance
Caron Zlotnick1, Golfo Tzilos2, Ivan Miller2
1Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
Introduction:
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant and common public health problem for women.
Aims:
To examine the efficacy of an intervention based on the principles of interpersonal therapy (IPT) in reducing the risk of PPD in pregnant women.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trial of 205 pregnant women who were 18 years old or older, on public assistance, and at risk for PPD. Participants (mean age=23; 38% Hispanic and 23% Black) were randomized to either the IPT group intervention (n=104) or the treatment as usual control (TAU) program (n=101).
Results:
At 6 months, the overall depression rate in the intervention group (16%) was lower than the control group (31%) and the effect of the intervention was statistically significant at p<0.05.
Limitations:
It is unknown if findings will generalize to a more heterogeneous sample of women than the current study, such as women from a range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, or marital status. There was a differential amount of contact between TAU and intervention conditions.
Conclusions:
An IPT based intervention during the prenatal period has the potential to reduce cases of PPD within 6 months postpartum in at risk mothers on public assistance.
