Internet-based Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Prenatal Women: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
Date
2020-08-07
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Abstract
Psychological distress, defined as perceived stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy is common and if left untreated has considerable adverse outcomes for mothers and their infants. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), traditionally delivered face-to-face, is a recommended treatment for prenatal psychological distress. Unfortunately, for many women, there are significant barriers to accessing and engaging in face-to-face IPT during their pregnancy such as few IPT therapists, long wait-times, costs associated with conventional treatment, stigma, and childcare issues. Delivering IPT online, over the internet, is one approach to overcome these barriers and facilitate access to treatment for pregnant women. The aim of this doctoral research project was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of internet-based IPT (e-IPT) for prenatal stress, anxiety, and depression.Within this thesis is contained; a systematic review protocol (Chapter 2), a systematic review (Chapter 3), a study protocol (Chapter 4), a qualitative study that explored the feasibility and acceptability of e-IPT (Chapter 5), and a quantitative study that provided an overview of the demographic and mental health data of the women drawn to participate in an internet-based guided support/perinatal mental health study (Chapter 6). The systematic review investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of IPT treatments for psychological distress in perinatal women. The empirical investigation evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of e-IPT for stress, anxiety, and depression in perinatal women when compared to routine prenatal care. To date, this is the first study to investigate e-IPT for prenatal stress, anxiety, and depression. In summary, the review, study, and interviews provide evidence for the efficacy of e-IPT for prenatal stress, anxiety, and depression. Delivery of IPT online has clinical value, overcomes access and engagement barriers, and has the potential to reach more prenatal women suffering from psychological distress.
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Keywords
Internet-based, Guided Support, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Perinatal Mental Health, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Feasibility, Acceptability, IPT, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Borderline Personality
Citation
Bright, K. S. (2020). Internet-based Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Prenatal Women: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.