The Necessity and Acceptability of Text Message Therapy to Peripartum Mothers

Objective: This study delineated the unmet mental health needs of peripartum mothers with symptoms of depression, ascertained their willingness to engage in psychotherapy via text message, and identified potential determinants of that willingness (e.g., demographics, preferred communication methods) to inform improvement to service delivery. Method: This was a cross-sectional national survey of 897 adults who had given birth in the previous 24 months, had at least one lifetime symptom of depression, had internet access, and could read English. Univariate analysis was followed by multivariable Firth's logistic regression. Results: Peripartum participants with at least one symptom of depression wanted mental health care the most within 2 years of giving birth (64.4%) and had less access to mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum (35.1% and 38.1%, compared with 23.9%). Fifty-three percent of participants were willing to engage in psychotherapy via text message. Determinants of willingness to engage in text message therapy for all periods (pregnancy, postpartum, and not peripartum) included wanting mental health treatment but not having access and previous experience with psychotherapy via text message. During pregnancy and not peripartum, more depressive symptoms were associated with willingness to engage in psychotherapy via text message. Conclusion: The peripartum period is an especially high-risk time for mothers to experience depressive symptoms. In general, most wanted therapy but were unable to access it. Most participants were willing to engage in text message therapy.