Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Perinatal Psychiatry

Background:

• Postpartum depression (PPD) affects many women, necessitating accessible preventive strategies.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for managing depressive symptoms.
• Web-based interventions offer a scalable approach to perinatal mental health support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the preliminary efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of the "Be a Mom" web-based intervention.
• To assess the impact of "Be a Mom" on preventing persistent postpartum depression symptoms.
• To determine the potential of "Be a Mom" as a digital tool for maternal mental well-being.

Main Methods:

• Pilot randomized controlled trial with a waiting-list control group.
• 194 women with PPD risk factors or early symptoms were randomized.
• Assessments conducted at baseline (T1) and postintervention (T2) for depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms in the "Be a Mom" group compared to controls (p < .05).
• Intervention completion rate was 41.8%, indicating feasibility challenges.
• High acceptability, with 71.4% willing to use "Be a Mom" again.

Conclusions:

• "Be a Mom" demonstrates preliminary efficacy in reducing postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms.
• Feasibility requires further investigation, but acceptability is high among users.
• Further research is needed to establish "Be a Mom" as a validated preventive intervention for PPD.