Efficacy of Brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Perinatal Depression

The study's major theme is "to examine the efficacy of a brief Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy (ACT) intervention in treating perinatal depressive symptoms, as compared to
psychoeducation."

The perinatal and postpartum periods are known to be a vulnerable time for the development of
mental health symptomatology, with approximately 7% of women developing postpartum depression
in the first three months following childbirth. The impact of postpartum depression extends
beyond the mother, whose distress and daily functioning are affected, with adverse effects on
infant development and care. The need for interventions and preventive interventions has been
widely indicated for over two decades.

This protocol will describe two intervention conditions, the effects of which will be
contrasted to determine the efficacy of ACT in treating depressive and anxiety symptoms among
perinatal women. The effects of the intervention will be determined in terms of self-report
measures (depression, flexibility, mindfulness, social satisfaction), diagnostic interviews
(depression, anxiety), behavioral measures, and physiological assessments. The impact of
trauma history and psychodiagnostic history will be examined as moderating factors and/or
covariates in the examination of the intervention's efficacy.

This protocol will test the hypothesis that ACT is effective in reducing depressive and
anxiety symptoms during the perinatal and postpartum periods. Secondarily, the investigators
will examine the impact of the intervention on psychophysiological measures, including heart
rate variability, distress tolerance, and genetic markers. Additionally, the investigators
will examine the transgenerational impact of the intervention on the offspring via offspring
birth outcomes, as reported by the mother. Finally, the investigators will explore mediators
and moderators of the treatment outcomes. This work will advance the understanding of the
impact of brief interventions on perinatal well-being and improve the ability to disseminate
empirically supported interventions for pregnant mothers.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult women (ages 18-45) who are between 14-20 weeks pregnant

2. Written and verbal fluency in English

3. Ability to give informed consent and comply with study procedures, which includes a
7th grade reading/comprehension level based off details of forms

4. Elevated depressive symptoms, as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
(EPDS), indicated by a score of 13 or more, and elevated Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale (HDRS) score of 8 or more

5. Women must be receiving prenatal care at time of enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prisoners

2. Inability to give informed consent and comply with study procedures, including
transportation to WisPIC, time for several study visits and group intervention

3. Active suicidality, past/current mania, past/current psychoses (assessed during
screening interview)