Healthy Moms-Healthy Kids: Reducing Maternal Depression for Better Outcomes in Head Start Children

Maternal depression is a pervasive problem that disproportionately affects low-income
mothers. The effects of depression on mothers and their parenting result in many negative
outcomes for children, particularly in terms of school readiness. The proposed research will
build on a successful partnership between the University of Southern California School of
Social Work (USC) and Children's Institute, Inc. (CII) to implement and evaluate an
evidence-based intervention, interpersonal psychotherapy for group (IPT-G), for Head Start
mothers with depression or dysphoric mood with the goal of reducing their depression and
promoting positive changes for both mothers and children. The objectives of the study are:
(1) adapt IPT-G for a Head Start population of mothers with depression; (2) implement IPT-G
via a randomized controlled trial in Head Start centers in Los Angeles County operated by
CII; (3) evaluate the effects of the intervention on maternal depression, parenting
behaviors, goal-directed behavior, interpersonal relationships, physical health, and child
behavior and school readiness; and (4) develop a manual for use of the intervention in Head
Start and disseminate findings nationally. The study will feature 2 groups of 60 mothers
each, randomized by Head Start site; one will receive the intervention and the other
services as usual. Outcomes for both mothers and children will be tracked for 2 years after
the intervention, allowing for the evaluation of short- and long-term effects. The
intervention will be delivered by Head Start mental health workers under the supervision of
Scott Stuart, a national trainer of the intervention. This intervention has the potential to
be a low-cost, high-impact intervention that can be replicated to other Head Start sites
across the country to improve the lives of Head Start children and families.