title: Quasi-experimental evaluation of a telephone-based peer support intervention for maternal depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of telephone-based peer support on maternal depression and social support
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Postpartum depression is a global health concern and lack of treatment options mean many mothers are depressed beyond the first year after birth. Strong evidence has shown telephone-based peer support, provided by a mother recovered from depression, effectively improves depression outcomes. This model has not been tested with mothers with depression any time up to two years postpartum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental, one group pre-test, posttest.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population was mothers in New Brunswick, Canada with depression up to 24 months after delivery. The sample (N = 64) was recruited between May 2011-October 2013. Peer volunteers recovered from postpartum depression were trained and delivered an average of 8·84 (Range 1-13) support telephone calls. Depression and social support outcomes were assessed at intervention mid-point (average 7·43 weeks, n = 37) and end (average 13·9 weeks, n = 34).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean depression significantly declined from baseline, 15·4 (N = 49), to mid-point, 8·30 and end of the study, 6·26. At mid-point 8·1% (n = 3/37) of mothers were depressed and at endpoint 11·8% (4/34) were depressed suggesting some relapse. Perceptions of social support significantly improved and higher support was significantly related with lower depression symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings offer promise that telephone-based peer support is effective for both early postpartum depression and maternal depression up to two years after delivery.
authors.affiliation: Faculties of Nursing & Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Letourneau
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4142-1288
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Secco
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Colpitts
authors.affiliation: Public Health Practice and Population Health, New Brunswick Department of Health, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aldous
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Cindy-Lee
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Dennis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009509:New Brunswick; D010379:Peer Group; D012944:Social Support; D013689:Telephone; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: maternal depression; nursing; postpartum depression; quasi-experimental study; social support; telephone-based peer support