Abstract
Depression during the prenatal and postpartum periods is associated with poor maternal, perinatal and child outcomes. This
study examines the effectiveness of a culturally and linguistically tailored, social support-based, healthy lifestyle intervention
led by trained community health workers in reducing depressive symptoms among pregnant and early postpartum Latinas. A sample
of 275 pregnant Latinas was randomized to the Healthy MOMs Healthy Lifestyle Intervention (MOMs) or the Healthy Pregnancy
Education (control) group. More than one-third of participants were at risk for depression at baseline. MOMs participants
were less likely than control group participants to be at risk for depression at follow-up. Between baseline and 6 weeks postpartum,
MOMs participants experienced a significant decline in depressive symptoms; control participants experienced a marginally
significant decline. For MOMs participants, most of this decline occurred during the pregnancy intervention period, a time
when no change occurred for control participants. The change in depressive symptoms during this period was greater among MOMs
than control participants (“intervention effect”). From baseline to postpartum, there was a significant intervention effect
among non-English-speaking women only. These findings provide evidence that a community-planned, culturally tailored healthy lifestyle intervention led by community
health workers can reduce depressive symptoms among pregnant, Spanish-speaking Latinas.
study examines the effectiveness of a culturally and linguistically tailored, social support-based, healthy lifestyle intervention
led by trained community health workers in reducing depressive symptoms among pregnant and early postpartum Latinas. A sample
of 275 pregnant Latinas was randomized to the Healthy MOMs Healthy Lifestyle Intervention (MOMs) or the Healthy Pregnancy
Education (control) group. More than one-third of participants were at risk for depression at baseline. MOMs participants
were less likely than control group participants to be at risk for depression at follow-up. Between baseline and 6 weeks postpartum,
MOMs participants experienced a significant decline in depressive symptoms; control participants experienced a marginally
significant decline. For MOMs participants, most of this decline occurred during the pregnancy intervention period, a time
when no change occurred for control participants. The change in depressive symptoms during this period was greater among MOMs
than control participants (“intervention effect”). From baseline to postpartum, there was a significant intervention effect
among non-English-speaking women only. These findings provide evidence that a community-planned, culturally tailored healthy lifestyle intervention led by community
health workers can reduce depressive symptoms among pregnant, Spanish-speaking Latinas.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-012-9523-9
- Authors
- Edith C. Kieffer, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Room 3770, Box 10, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106, USA
- Cleopatra H. Caldwell, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Diana B. Welmerink, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Room 3770, Box 10, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106, USA
- Kathleen B. Welch, Center for Statistical Consulting and Research (CSCAR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Brandy R. Sinco, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Room 3770, Box 10, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106, USA
- J. Ricardo Guzmán, Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center, Inc., Detroit, MI, USA
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562