ICBT (Internet Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for Maternal Depression: Community Implementation in Head Start

Launched by OREGON RESEARCH INSTITUTE · Nov 23, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a program called Mom-Net, which is an online therapy designed to help mothers who are feeling depressed. Many low-income women who have children are at a higher risk of experiencing depression but often don’t get the help they need. Mom-Net provides cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) online, along with live coaching to support mothers as they learn to manage their symptoms and improve their parenting skills. The study aims to see if this program can be effectively offered through Head Start agencies, which help prepare children for school, and whether it helps reduce depression in mothers.

To be eligible for this trial, mothers need to be experiencing elevated symptoms of depression and have a child aged 2 to 5 who is enrolled in a participating Head Start program. During the study, mothers will be randomly assigned to either receive the Mom-Net program or the usual treatment, which usually involves being referred to community mental health providers. They will take part in assessments before starting the program, after completing it, and again a year later to see how they and their children are doing. This trial is currently recruiting participants and aims to improve access to mental health support for mothers in need.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria: Mothers
• • Elevated symptoms of depression (i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire or Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score at or above 10)
• • Have a child 2-5 years enrolled in a participating Head Start; be able to communicate in English or Spanish.
• • Inclusion Criteria: Child
• • - 2-5 years of age and enrolled in participation Head Start
• • Exclusion Criteria: Mothers
• • Evidence of psychosis or other major mental illness or cognitive disability (observed during recruitment or by HS report) that would interfere with meaningful participation
• • Endorsed score of 3 on final item of the PHQ9 or EPDS indicating frequent thoughts of suicide. Could be enrolled at later date if elevated risk ameliorates
• • Exclusion Criteria: Children
• • No exclusion criteria