A systematic review of perinatal depression interventions for adolescent mothers

• Published in: Journal of adolescence (London, England.) Vol. 37; no. 8; pp. 1227 - 1235
• Main Authors: Lieberman, Kate, Le, Huynh-Nhu, Perry, Deborah F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2014; Elsevier; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Depression; Depressive Disorder - complications; Depressive Disorder - prevention & control; Depressive Disorder - therapy; Developmental psychology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Intervention; Medical sciences; Medical treatment; Mental depression; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority Groups - psychology; Mood disorders; Pediatrics; Perinatal depression; Poverty - psychology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - prevention & control; Pregnancy Complications - psychology; Pregnancy Complications - therapy; Pregnancy in Adolescence - psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk assessment; Socioeconomic factors; Systematic review; Womens health; Intervention; Adolescent; Perinatal depression; Human; Mood disorder; Perinatal; Depression; Female; Review; Maternal diseases; Adolescent mother
• ISSN: 0140-1971; 1095-9254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.08.004

Abstract Poor, adolescent, racial/ethnic minority women are at great risk for developing perinatal depression. However, little research has been conducted evaluating interventions for this population. We conducted a systematic review of preventive and treatment interventions for perinatal depression tested with adolescents, with a focus on low income, minority populations. Nine research-based articles (including one that reported on two studies) were reviewed systematically, and quality ratings were assigned based on a validated measure assessing randomization, double-blinding, and reporting of participant withdrawals. Two treatment studies were identified, both of which were successful in reducing depression. Eight prevention studies were located, of which four were more efficacious than control conditions in preventing depression. Studies sampled mostly minority, low socioeconomic status adolescents. No consistent characteristics across efficacious interventions could be identified. This review underscores the need for researchers to further investigate and build an evidence base.