This study aims to learn about depression and alcohol use in postpartum mothers and whether an intervention based on contingency management and problem-solving therapy (CM-PST) can help reduce these symptoms. The main questions it seeks to answer are: 1. How do new mothers fare with depressive symptoms and alcohol use in the first 12 months after giving birth? 2. Will a CM-PST intervention reduce depressive symptoms and alcohol use frequency among new mothers? 3. Is a CM-PST intervention practical for new mothers? The researchers will recruit approximately 30 new mothers and randomly select half to attend a 6-week CM-PST intervention. They will compare those who received the intervention versus those who did not to see if there are any differences in their depressive symptoms and alcohol usage. Participants will: * Complete 4 remote intervention sessions over 6 weeks * Conduct at-home urine drug tests 2x per week during the 6-week intervention * Answer online surveys about their mental health and alcohol use
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
A 6-week online CM-PST course delivered through video conferencing calls consisting of 4 educational sessions, combined with 2x weekly at-home drug testing to monitor the reduction in alcohol use and reduced depression symptoms.
Participants randomized to the usual care condition will continue to receive standard postpartum care from their obstetrician-gynecologist, consistent with routine clinical practice. No additional psychological intervention will be provided as part of the study.
University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Change in postpartum depression symptoms
Participants will take the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at screening, baseline and at 3 months to assess changes in mental health and depressive symptoms. This is reported on a scale of 0-30; a higher score indicates a higher likelihood of postpartum depression.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, 3 months
Alcohol use test results
Participants' alcohol use will be monitored and assessed with urine drug tests at baseline, 2x weekly throughout the duration of the 6-week intervention, and at 3 months.
Time frame: Baseline, Weekly, 3 months
Change in alcohol use screening status
Participants will take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) at the time of screening, baseline and at 3 months. This is reported on a scale of 0-40; a higher score indicates a higher likelihood of moderate to severe alcohol use.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, 3 months
Change in alcohol-related negative consequences
Participants will take the Rutgers Alcohol Problems Index (RAPI) at baseline and at 3 months to assess changes in problems related to alcohol use. This is reported on a scale of 0-72; a higher score indicates a higher likelihood of alcohol-related negative consequences in everyday life.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months
Change in alcohol use
Participants will take the Timeline Follow Back (TLFB) questionnaire at baseline and at 3 months to assess changes in alcohol use.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months
Change in reasons for drinking
Participants will take the Drinking Motive Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R) at baseline and at 3 months to assess changes in alcohol use motivations. This is reported on a scale of 20-100; a higher score indicates stronger motivations for alcohol use.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months
Acceptability of intervention
Participants will complete a 10-minute interview at the end of the intervention to assess their sentiments towards CM-PST and take the Client Counseling Satisfaction Scale (CCSS). This is reported on a five-point Likert scale of 6-30, and includes an open-ended question about suggestions for future interventions. A higher score indicates a higher likelihood of participant satisfaction.
Time frame: 3 months
Feasibility of intervention via adherence
Participant adherence will be assessed by monitoring and documenting attendance for each intervention session and completion of urine alcohol screening tests.
Time frame: 3 months
Feasibility of intervention via retention
Participant retention will be assessed by monitoring and calculating the proportion of the study sample retained by the end of the intervention.
Time frame: 3 months
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