Partner Perspectives of Tailoring Technology-Assisted CBT Depression Treatment for Perinatal People Served by Head Start.

Abstract

Background: Ten percent to 15% of pregnant and postpartum people experience perinatal depression (PND). Despite high PND prevalence, limited access to treatment remains. Barriers to care are exacerbated in under-resourced, rural communities. Technology-assisted PND treatments can increase access to care; however, treatment tailoring is critical to enhance engagement and improve outcomes.

Objectives: Explore partner perspectives of a technology-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy-based PND treatment to identify tailoring needs and increase treatment acceptability among perinatal clients served by a rural Michigan Head Start program.

Methods: Through a community-university partnership, partners were invited to participate in six focus group sessions. Partners reviewed the technology-assisted treatment and were asked to (1) share perspectives and reactions, (2) identify gaps in content, and (3) provide suggestions for modifications of visual and text-based elements. Research team members facilitated focus groups and took detailed field notes during each session. Thematic analysis of field notes was conducted by two independent coders.

Results: Two core themes were identified: (1) connection between treatment and lived experience and (2) the power of positive affirmations and motivational statements. Partners identified the need for the intervention to reflect and incorporate content related to these core themes to be relevant and acceptable for perinatal clients in this community.

Conclusions: Findings are consistent with existing research suggesting treatment tailoring is essential to enhancing engagement. Community-engaged research is critical for meaningful treatment tailoring that maximizes relevance and acceptability for underserved perinatal people. Study implications suggest the importance of designing technology-assisted treatments that allow for low-cost, efficient tailoring while retaining core, evidence-based content.