Randomized controlled trial to prevent postpartum depression in adolescent mothers

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of an interpersonally oriented intervention on the reduction of the risk of postpartum depression in primiparous adolescents.

Study design: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of 106 pregnant primiparous adolescents who were ≤17 years old at their first prenatal visit. Participants were assigned randomly to the intervention program (n = 54) or the attention and dose-matched control program (n = 52). Each program included 5 sessions that were delivered during the prenatal period. A structured diagnostic interview was administered to assess for the primary outcome and depression at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after delivery.

Results: Participants included Hispanic (53%), non-Hispanic black (17%), and non-Hispanic white (16%) adolescents. The overall rate of depression in the intervention group (12.5%) was lower than the control group (25%) with a hazard rate ratio of 0.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.17-1.15) at 6 months after delivery.

Conclusion: An intervention that is delivered during the prenatal period has the potential to reduce the risk for postpartum depression in primiparous adolescent mothers.