Individual Submission Summary
Share...

Direct link:

Poster #167 - Preventing Prenatal Stress and Depression in Low-Income Families

Fri, March 22, 2:30 to 3:45pm, Baltimore Convention Center, Floor: Level 1, Exhibit Hall B

Integrative Statement

Significant health disparities in the U.S. place low-income and racial and ethnic minority families at greater risk for parental depression, stress and poor child outcomes. Research indicates that prenatal depression and the associated stress hormone, cortisol, interfere with optimal child development (Werner et al., 2013); some evidence suggests that such exposure is especially potent in the second trimester of pregnancy (Davis et al., 2011). Given the detrimental effects of prenatal depression and stress on new parents and their infants, there is a critical need to develop effective preventative programs for expectant parents early in pregnancy.
The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a new program, Preparing for Parenthood (PREP). PREP is a group-based, educational program that focuses on: a) depression reduction and stress management, b) the couple relationship and, c) parenting attitudes and behaviors. PREP is novel for a few reasons. First, PREP was developed specifically to address the life stressors of low-income, racially and ethnically diverse families. Second, few interventions include fathers of infants in low-income families, despite evidence that couple-focused interventions yield stronger effects on parent and child outcomes than interventions targeting only one parent (Feinberg et al., 2010).
To evaluate PREP, we are conducting a pilot pre-post non-randomized control study. Twenty-four couples (48 participants) are assigned to the 6-week PREP intervention and 20 couples will receive treatment-as-usual (home visiting). As shown in Figure 1, data from participants is being collected at three time points across the transition to parenthood. Self-report measures of stress, co-parenting and mental health as well hair and salivary cortisol are collected at each interview. Feasibility of recruitment, retention, and implementation of PREP area also being evaluated. In addition, pilot data will be examined to test for differences in pre- and post- measures of mental health and stress, co-parenting and parenting knowledge.
To date: two of the three six-week intervention programs have been conducted, each with eight couples expecting their first child (n=32). The third intervention class is scheduled for Fall of 2018. Five control couples (n=10) are also enrolled in the study. Average age of mothers is 23; co-parents are 27 years on average. Our sample is racially and ethnically diverse: 15 participants identify as Latino, 15 are White, 9 are African American, and 5 are Multiracial. Approximately half of participants have graduated from high school. Average gross annual family income is $38,978.
In terms of attendance, participants attended 5.2 (out of 6) classes on average. Satisfaction was high across the six sessions: the majority of parents reported “strongly agreeing” that the class topics were relevant, the group leaders were engaging and well-prepared, and that the class exercises were useful and engaging. In terms of qualitative feedback, participants expressed enjoying the group interaction, feeling prepared, and appreciating the focus on co-parenting. Some parents expressed wanting more information on newborn care and breastfeeding.
Future analyses will compare mean differences in pre-and post-measures of mental health, stress, and co-parenting with the with the aim of building knowledge around efficacious interventions for vulnerable families.

Authors