Results of an intervention to reduce perinatal depression among low-income minority women in community primary care

With little past research on interventions to reduce perinatal depression among minority women, we tested a multicomponent psychosocial intervention that spanned the puerperium. We recruited 187 low-income African American and Hispanic women from three innercity community health centers. Women with depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to a multicomponent psychosocial intervention or to the usual health center social services. The two intervention conditions were equally effective in reducing depression. Lack of difference may be due to the similarity of the two treatment conditions and logistical barriers in delivering full "doses" of the specialized intervention. Continued research to identify characteristics of effective interventions during pregnancy and postpartum is recommended.