An integrated parenting intervention for maternal depression and child development in a low-resource setting: Cluster
Nusrat Husain1, Tayyeba Kiran2, Batool Fatima3
1University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Depression and Anxiety
|May 19, 2021
Summary
A parenting program called Learning through Play Plus (LTP+) significantly reduced maternal depression in Pakistani mothers. This intervention also improved child socio-emotional development, offering a low-cost solution for mental health in low-resource settings.
Area of Science:
- Global Mental Health
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- High rates of maternal depression in Pakistan negatively impact child development.
- Existing interventions may not be suitable for low-resource settings.
- The need for accessible and effective maternal mental health support is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the manualized integrated parenting program, Learning through Play Plus (LTP+), for maternal depression in Karachi, Pakistan.
- To assess the impact of LTP+ on child socio-emotional development.
- To determine the feasibility of delivering integrated parenting interventions through lay health workers.
Main Methods:
- A cluster randomized controlled trial involving 774 depressed mothers and their children (aged 0-30 months) in 120 villages.
- Intervention group received LTP+ added to treatment as usual (TAU); control group received TAU alone.
- Primary outcomes measured maternal depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and child socio-emotional development (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) at 3 and 6 months.
Main Results:
- Mothers in the LTP+ group showed significantly lower depression scores at 3 and 6 months compared to the TAU group (ES: -7.2 and -4.6, respectively).
- Children in the LTP+ group demonstrated significantly better socio-emotional development across all domains of the ASQ at 6 months.
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in secondary outcomes, including maternal anxiety, quality of life, social support, and parenting competence.
Conclusions:
- Low-cost, integrated parenting interventions like LTP+, delivered by lay health workers, are effective in treating maternal depression in low-resource settings.
- The findings support the scalability and sustainability of such programs for improving maternal and child well-being in Pakistan.
- LTP+ offers a promising model for addressing the dual burden of maternal depression and developmental delays in similar contexts.
Keywords:
Pakistanchild developmentlow and middle-income countriesmaternal depressionpsychosocial developmentMore Related Videos
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