Mobile app-based intervention for paternal perinatal depression, anxiety, and stress: A randomised controlled trial

IF 4.9 2区医学 Q1 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Journal of affective disorders Pub Date : 2025-04-23 DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2025.04.075

Samantha J. Teague , Adrian B.R. Shatte , Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz , Delyse M. Hutchinson

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Paternal perinatal mental health significantly impacts family outcomes, yet fathers are often overlooked and underserved in mental health services. This study evaluates the efficacy of a mindfulness-based cognitive behaviour therapy intervention delivered via mobile app to address paternal perinatal depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.

Method

A randomised controlled trial was conducted with perinatal fathers experiencing moderate depression, anxiety, or stress symptoms. Participants were assigned to either the Rover app mindfulness-based CBT intervention (n = 81) or an active control app, moodmonitor (n = 75). Primary outcomes were depression (EPDS), anxiety, and stress (DASS21); secondary outcomes included social support, parenting self-efficacy, and couple relationship quality. Post-test analysis occurred at four weeks, with an additional eight-week follow-up for the intervention group.

Results

Contrary to hypotheses, no differences were found between groups for depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Both groups showed significant reductions in anxiety (intervention d = −1.7, control d = −1.94) and stress (intervention d = −2.9, control d = −2.8) and improved couple relationship quality. Rover users maintained improvements at 8-week follow-up. Fathers with severe baseline depression experienced greater reductions in depression using the Rover app (b = 5.36, p < 0.01).

Limitations

Low adherence to the intervention and moderate attrition over the study duration.

Conclusions

Although the intervention was acceptable to fathers, treatment adherence was low, highlighting the need for more engaging content. App-based interventions show potential benefits for paternal mental health, but user engagement must be improved. This study contributes to the growing literature on digital interventions for fathers' mental health and emphasizes the importance of including fathers in perinatal mental health research.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12621000275864.

查看原文本刊更多论文

基于移动应用程序的父亲围产期抑郁、焦虑和压力干预：一项随机对照试验

父亲的围产期心理健康显著影响家庭结果，但父亲在心理健康服务中往往被忽视和服务不足。本研究评估了通过移动应用程序提供的基于正念的认知行为治疗干预的有效性，以解决父亲围产期抑郁、焦虑和压力症状。方法对有中度抑郁、焦虑或压力症状的围产期父亲进行随机对照试验。参与者被分配到Rover应用程序基于正念的CBT干预（n = 81）或主动控制应用程序，情绪监测器（n = 75）。主要结局是抑郁（EPDS）、焦虑和压力（DASS21）；次要结果包括社会支持、为人父母的自我效能和夫妻关系质量。测试后分析在第四周进行，对干预组进行额外的八周随访。结果与假设相反，各组之间在抑郁、焦虑和压力症状方面没有发现差异。两组的焦虑（干预d = - 1.7，对照组d = - 1.94）和压力（干预d = - 2.9，对照组d = - 2.8）均显著降低，夫妻关系质量得到改善。Rover用户在8周的随访中保持了改善。使用Rover应用程序后，患有严重基线抑郁症的父亲的抑郁症发病率显著降低(b = 5.36, p <；0.01)。限制：在研究期间，对干预的依从性较慢，减员适度。结论虽然父亲可以接受干预，但治疗依从性较低，需要更多吸引人的内容。基于应用程序的干预显示了对父亲心理健康的潜在益处，但必须提高用户参与度。这项研究为越来越多的关于父亲心理健康的数字干预的文献做出了贡献，并强调了将父亲纳入围产期心理健康研究的重要性。澳大利亚和新西兰临床试验注册中心：ACTRN12621000275864。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of affective disorders 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

10.90

自引率

6.10%

发文量

1319

审稿时长

9.3 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Affective Disorders publishes papers concerned with affective disorders in the widest sense: depression, mania, mood spectrum, emotions and personality, anxiety and stress. It is interdisciplinary and aims to bring together different approaches for a diverse readership. Top quality papers will be accepted dealing with any aspect of affective disorders, including neuroimaging, cognitive neurosciences, genetics, molecular biology, experimental and clinical neurosciences, pharmacology, neuroimmunoendocrinology, intervention and treatment trials.