Mobile Phone Based Peer Support to Prevent Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of several postpartum mood disorders and is classified as a major depressive disorder. It has the highest inception rate during the first 12 weeks postpartum and is frequently comorbid with anxiety disorders or significant anxiety symptoms. PPD is the most frequent form of maternal morbidity following childbirth and has serious negative consequences including maternal suffering, impaired maternal-infant interactions and cognitive, behavioural and emotional problems in infants and children. As a result of these negative consequences, PPD has been deemed a major public health concern warranting preventive intervention. Adolescent mothers are a particularly vulnerable maternal population who are at approximately three times greater risk for developing postpartum depression (PPD) compared to adult mothers, with an estimated prevalence of 38%. In 2011, over 65,000 live births were recorded to adolescents between 15-24 years of age in Canada, which represents a significant number of mothers at risk for developing PPD.

Several variables have been identified as predictors for PPD among adolescent mothers; however, the one variable which has been consistently identified in studies is a lack of social support. A detailed analysis of social support variables in predictive studies among adolescent mothers clearly identifies not having someone to talk with about their problems as a major deficiency in social support. These findings are not surprising as the relationship between lack of social support and reduced psychological well-being has been well established. Evidence shows that decreased social network size, fewer close relationships, and lower perceived adequacy of social support are all linked to depressive symptomatology.

Peer to peer support, a form of social support, has been shown to improve health outcomes in various age groups including adolescents. Peers are lay individuals who have similar characteristics and experiences as a target population and can share pragmatic knowledge and empathic understanding. The provision of peer support includes (a) informational support (knowledge, facts, and suggestions), (b) emotional support (attentive listening, caring and reassurance) and (c) appraisal support (motivation, encouragement and positive communication) which is delivered by a peer.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile phone-based peer support intervention and adherence with the trial protocol to inform a future definitive full-scale randomized controlled trial.

The design is a pilot randomized controlled trial. Forty eligible and consenting pregnant adolescents age 16-24 years will be randomized into an intervention or control group. Adolescents in the control group will receive standard prenatal and postpartum in-hospital and community care. Adolescents in the intervention group will receive the same standard care as the control group plus a mobile phone-based peer support intervention. Mobile phone-based peer support will consist of support provided by a trained peer mentor starting in the participant's last trimester of pregnancy and continuing for 12 weeks postpartum. Peer mentors are young mothers between 16-24 years of age who will receive 12 hours of training to learn how to provide support to new young mothers. Peer support will be provided either via voice calling or text messaging depending on the participant's preference. Additionally, acceptability by participants the intervention group will be evaluated via questionnaire and semi-structured interview to determine likes/dislikes and areas for improvement. Preliminary effectiveness will be a secondary outcome with depressive and anxiety symptoms measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Speilberger State Anxiety Inventory at 12 weeks postpartum. Social support and health services utilization will also be measured at 12 weeks postpartum.