Preventing Postpartum Depression Among Immigrant Latinas Though a Virtual Group Intervention (Mothers and Babies Virtual Group)

Mothers and Babies Virtual Group (MB-VG) is a 5-year R01 study funded by the National Institute on Minority Heath Disparities (NIMHD) that started in 2023 in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University to examine the effectiveness and implementation of the Mothers and Babies group intervention delivered in a virtual format to immigrant Latinas.  A pilot study adapting Mothers and Babies into a virtual group format (MB-VG), showed promising results, indicating good feasibility, acceptability, and improved mental health outcomes for immigrant Latinas. Now, a Type 1 Effectiveness-Implementation randomized controlled trial is underway across Maryland, enrolling 300 pregnant individuals and new mothers at risk for postpartum depression (PPD). The project aims to evaluate: 1) the effectiveness of MB-VG to reduce depressive symptoms, prevent onset of PPD, and improve parenting self-efficacy and responsiveness; 2) implementation of MB-VG; and 3) contextual factors influencing MB-VG effectiveness and implementation. An exploratory aim will also examine child self-regulation and school readiness outcomes among participants who have older children aged 2.5-4.5 years.    

Principal and Co-Investigators

Darius Tandon, PhD, Rheanna Platt, MD, MPH, Lisa Ruth Hirschhorn, MD, MPH, Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo, PhD, Andrea K. Graham, PhD, Alinne Barrera, PhD, Sarah Polk, MD, Raschelle Musci, PhD

Contact Information

For more information or questions about our study, please feel free to reach out to our Director of Research Operations: Alicia Diebold, MSW.

Publications

• Platt, R., Martin, C. P., Perry, O., Cooper, L., Tandon, D., Richman, R., Bettencourt, A. F., & Polk, S. (2023). A mixed-methods evaluation of virtually delivered group-based Mothers and Babies for Latina immigrant mothers. Women’s Health Issues, 33(5), 465–473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2023.05.005