The DOI matches its Crossref record; 94 of the 94 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Preventing postpartum depression: review and recommendations
Open accessAbstract
Nearly 20 % of mothers will experience an episode of major or minor depression within the first 3 months postpartum, making it the most common complication of childbearing. Postpartum depression (PPD) is significantly undertreated, and because prospective mothers are especially motivated for self-care, a focus on the prevention of PPD holds promise of clinical efficacy. This study is a qualitative review of existing approaches to prevent PPD. A PubMed search identified studies of methods of PPD prevention. The search was limited to peer-reviewed, published, English-language, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of biological, psychological, and psychosocial interventions. Eighty articles were initially identified, and 45 were found to meet inclusion criteria. Eight RCTs of biological interventions were identified and 37 RCTs of psychological or psychosocial interventions. Results were mixed, with 20 studies showing clear positive effects of an intervention and 25 showing no effect. Studies differed widely in screening, population, measurement, and intervention. Among biological studies, anti-depressants and nutrients provided the most evidence of successful intervention. Among psychological and psychosocial studies, 13/17 successful trials targeted an at-risk population, and 4/7 trials using interpersonal therapy demonstrated success of the intervention versus control, with a further two small studies showing trends toward statistical significance. Existing approaches to the prevention of PPD vary widely, and given the current literature, it is not possible to identify one approach that is superior to others. Interpersonal therapy trials and trials that targeted an at-risk population appear to hold the most promise for further study.
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“First, these interventions have only exhibited small effects on PMADs symptoms [14] (despite being conducted with small samples–which should inflate effect sizes) [13–15].”
From Acceptance-based process variables on postpartum well-being and distress: The mediating role of psychological flexibility (2024) · cites this paper as [15]
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“interventions to prevent PPD are the most effective when they target women considered to be at risk [16]”
From The Efficacy of Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: Examining Mechanisms of Change in a Randomized Controlled Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [16]
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“From previous trials, we also know that to overcome high attrition rates and improve effectiveness, interventions should be aimed primarily at at-risk women (e.g., women with subclinical depression) and should fit the unique preferences and needs of pregnant women [22–24].”
From Effectiveness of a guided ACT-based self-help resilience training for depressive symptoms during pregnancy: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial embedded in a prospective cohort. (2020) · cites this paper as [23]
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“In a systematic review of CBT interventions to prevent PPD, Werner et al [16] noted that 4 out of 6 studies reporting success in the alleviation of PPD targeted only women considered to be at risk (with sample sizes ranging from 27 to 241 participants).”
From The Efficacy of Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: Examining Mechanisms of Change in a Randomized Controlled Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [16]
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“Nevertheless, none of these face-to-face studies examined the mechanisms of change underlying the observed reductions in depressive symptoms.”
From The Efficacy of Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: Examining Mechanisms of Change in a Randomized Controlled Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [16]
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Citations
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Metadata
- Authors
- Werner, E., Miller, M., Osborne, L. M., Kuzava, S., & Monk, C.
- Affiliations
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center (US)
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Werner, Elizabeth
- Kuzava, Sierra
- Venue
- Archives of Women's Mental Health
- Published
- 2014-11-25
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 41-60
- ISSN
- 1434-1816 (ISSN-L)
- 1435-1102
- PMC
- PMC4308451
- OpenAlex
- W2042783002
- Cited by
- 212
- References
- 94
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 6
- FWCI
- 1.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Archives of Women s Mental Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R21MH092665, T32MH015144)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Keywords
- postpartum depression, prevention, antidepressants, nutrients, interpersonal psychotherapy, vulnerable populations, psychological intervention, psychosocial interventions, biological interventions, screening, maternal mental health
- MeSH terms
- Female, Humans, Mothers, Psychotherapy, Social Support, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Depression, Postpartum
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