Reducing depression in pregnancy: designing multimodal interventions.
Research indicates that high levels of stress, low social support networks, and depression during pregnancy have a powerful negative effect on maternal functioning and infant developmental outcomes. Low-income, inner-city women from ethnic minority groups, whose levels of depression have been documented as higher than their white counterparts, are at increased risk, as are their infants. This article reviews the relevant research literature and proposes that "bundling" several social work treatments intended to reduce or prevent depression, expand social networks, and enhance mothers' knowledge of child development is more effective than any single approach. Joining treatments into one intervention approach offers multiple treatments for multiple problems and can be designed to be evaluated.
Cunningham
Maddy
M
Center for Hispanic Mental Health Research, Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, New York, New York 10023-7484, USA.
Zayas
Luis H
LH
D002657:Child Development; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008913:Minority Groups; D016487:Parenting; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work