NCT03499756

Couple-based Interpersonal Psychotherapy on Postnatal Depression and Family Sense of Coherence

A Couple-based Interpersonal Psychotherapy on Postnatal Depression and Family Sense of Coherence: a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 455 (actual)
• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Postnatal depression is a common public health problem which has long-term sequelae on the family and the infant's psychosocial development. Interpersonal psychotherapy has demonstrated its value as one of the most effective interventions for postnatal depression. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy for first-time Chinese mothers and fathers on depressive symptoms, family sense of coherence, and marital relationships immediately after intervention and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum.

Detailed description

Background: Postnatal depression is a common public health problem which has long-term sequelae on the family and the infant's psychosocial development. Interpersonal psychotherapy has demonstrated its value as one of the most effective interventions for postnatal depression. Enhancement of family sense of coherence may be helpful for women who are at risk for postnatal depression. However, few studies in the context of Chinese parenthood have evaluated the effect of interpersonal psychotherapy on postnatal depression and the underlying mechanisms. Aim: To examine the effect of a couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy for first-time Chinese mothers and fathers on depressive symptoms (primary outcome), family sense of coherence (secondary outcome), and marital relationships (secondary outcome) immediately after intervention and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Method: A randomized controlled trial will be used to evaluate the effect of a couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy on depressive symptoms (primary outcome), family sense of coherence (secondary outcome), and marital relationships (secondary outcome) immediately after intervention and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. A convenience sample of 125 couples will be recruited at the antenatal clinics and randomly assigned to either experimental or control group. The experimental group will receive the intervention in addition to the standard perinatal care, while the control group will only receive the standard perinatal care. Intervention: The intervention consists of three weekly 2-hour antenatal sessions using an interpersonal psychotherapy approach that focused on enhancement of family sense of coherence and two telephone follow-ups within the first four weeks after delivery. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure of postnatal depression will be assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Secondary outcome measures of family sense of coherence and the marital relationship, will be assessed by the Family Sense of Coherence Scale and Dyadic Adjustment, respectively, at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Data analysis: Linear mixed models will be used to test for significant differences between the groups on outcome variables.

Conditions

• Postnatal Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy	The contents include: (1) an overview of changes associated with the role transition of parenthood and an introduction to the coping skills relating to role transition and parenting; (2) discussing common postpartum and interpersonal difficulties, such as conflicts with partners or extended family, and teaching effective communication skills to resolve interpersonal conflicts and maintain a good interpersonal relationship; and (3) building family strengths and resources by enhancing family sense of coherence, such as reassessing the challenges of the new role, applying problem solving techniques to deal with role transition and interpersonal problems, and developing new social support.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-05-30
• Primary completion: 2022-12-31
• Completion: 2022-12-31
• First posted: 2018-04-17
• Last updated: 2023-05-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong