Depression treatment delivered at the point-of-care: a qualitative assessment of the views of low-income US mothers. (1st January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Orengo-Aguayo, Rosaura E.; Segre, Lisa S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive and infant psychology. Volume 34:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2016-01-01
• Subjects: Depression -- depression treatment -- culture and psychotherapy -- qualitative research methods -- low-income, ethnic-minority mothers; Human reproduction -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Infant psychology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Child Psychology -- Periodicals; Women -- psychology -- Periodicals; 612.6
• DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2015.1101753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-6838

Abstract

Abstract: Background/objective: Within the first months of childbirth, clinically significant depressive symptoms are experienced by 19% of mothers in the USA, and are even more prevalent among low-income and ethnic-minority women. Paradoxically, low-income and ethnic-minority mothers are faced with unique barriers that make them less likely to receive professional mental health care. To find ways to remove these barriers, a recent US trial extended the use of a UK intervention, Listening Visits, an evidence-based treatment delivered by home visitors/office nursing staff.Methods: A qualitative content analysis was conducted with participants' ( N = 19 in an open trial and N = 49 in a randomised controlled trial) responses to a post-treatment semi-structured interview assessing their views of Listening Visits. The percentage of participants endorsing each thematic code is presented.Results: When the provider first introduced the Listening Visits intervention, 77.9% of women retrospectively reported having positive views of trying this new approach. Recipients most frequently mentioned as helpful two aspects of Listening Visits: empathic listening/support and the collaborative style of the Listening Visits provider. Half of the women (50%) did not suggest changes to how Listening Visits was delivered. Among those who suggested changes, the most frequent (42.6%) suggestion was to increase the number/duration of sessions.Conclusion: Listening Visits is an acceptable depression treatment approach, as perceived by low-income, ethnic-minority mothers, which health and social service providers who serve this population can use.