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Effectiveness of a web-enabled psychoeducational resource for postpartum depression and anxiety among women in British Columbia

Effectiveness of a web-enabled psychoeducational resource for postpartum depression and anxiety among women in British Columbia

Lawrence, Claire, Breau, Genevieve Marie, Yang, Lily, Hellerstein, Orli, Hippman, Catriona, Kennedy, Andrea, Ryan, Deidre, Shulman, Barbara and Brotto, Lori (2024) Effectiveness of a web-enabled psychoeducational resource for postpartum depression and anxiety among women in British Columbia. Archives of Women's Mental Health. ISSN 1434-1816 (Print), 1435-1102 (Online) (doi:10.1007/s00737-024-01468-8)

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Abstract

Purpose: Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety (PPA) affect nearly one-quarter (23%) of women in Canada. eHealth is a promising solution for increasing access to postpartum mental healthcare. However, a user-centered approach is not routinely taken in the development of web-enabled resources, leaving postpartum women out of critical decision-making processes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, usability, and user satisfaction of PostpartumCare.ca, a web-enabled psychoeducational resource for PPD and PPA, created in partnership with postpartum women in British Columbia.
Methods: Participants were randomized to either an intervention group (n = 52) receiving access to PostpartumCare.ca for four weeks, or to a waitlist control group (n = 51). Measures evaluating PPD (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and PPA
symptoms (Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale) were completed at baseline, after four weeks, and after a two-week follow-up. User ratings of website usability and satisfaction and website metrics were also collected.
Results: PPD and PPA symptoms were significantly reduced for the intervention group only after four weeks, with improvements maintained after a two-week follow-up, corresponding with small-to-medium effect sizes (PPD: partial η2 = .03; PPA: partial
η2 = .04). Intervention participants were also more likely than waitlist controls to recover from clinical levels of PPD symptoms (χ2(1, n = 63) = 4.58, p = .032) and PostpartumCare.ca’s usability and satisfaction were rated favourably overall.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that a web-enabled psychoeducational resource, created in collaboration with patient partners, can effectively reduce PPD and PPA symptoms, supporting its potential use as a low-barrier option for postpartum women.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: postpartum depression; postpartum anxiety; eHealth; psychoeducation; digital health
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
L Education > L Education (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences
Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development
Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Mental Health
Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified: 17 May 2024 09:28
URI: http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/46915

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