Jennifer N Felder1,2,3, Riya Mirchandaney4,5, Sona Dimidjian6,5. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA. jennifer.felder@ucsf.edu. 2. Osher Center for Integrative Health, University of California, San Francisco, UCSF, Box 1726, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA. jennifer.felder@ucsf.edu. 3. Crown Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA. jennifer.felder@ucsf.edu. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA. 5. Crown Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA. 6. Osher Center for Integrative Health, University of California, San Francisco, UCSF, Box 1726, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Perinatal depression is the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, and it is associated with adverse consequences. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that pregnant and postpartum (i.e., perinatal) individuals at risk for depression be referred for therapy or counseling interventions; however, it is unclear to what extent this recommendation has been implemented. METHODS: Pregnant individuals were recruited via advertisements on a pregnancy app and a separate study on sleep. Respondents completed the initial screening questions to determine their risk for perinatal depression, defined as self-reported history of depression; recent stressors; history of emotional, sexual, or physical abuse; mild depressive symptoms; anxiety symptoms; single; diabetes diagnosis; or unwanted pregnancy. Eligible respondents reported their providers' recommendations for preventing depression, and their utilization of interventions to prevent depression (n = 303). RESULTS: Fewer than 15% of participants reported that a provider referred them for therapy or counseling to prevent depression; recommendations included cognitive behavioral therapy (4%), interpersonal psychotherapy (2.3%), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (4.3%), or other/unknown (6.6%). Approximately 12% reported that a provider recommended medication to prevent depression. Provider referral rates varied by risk factor, but not by patient demographics. Nearly 20% of participants reported using therapy or counseling to prevent depression, and nearly 13% reported using medication to prevent depression. CONCLUSIONS: We explore potential factors affecting the uptake of the USPSTF recommendation and underscore the importance of preventing perinatal depression.
PURPOSE: Perinatal depression is the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, and it is associated with adverse consequences. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that pregnant and postpartum (i.e., perinatal) individuals at risk for depression be referred for therapy or counseling interventions; however, it is unclear to what extent this recommendation has been implemented. METHODS: Pregnant individuals were recruited via advertisements on a pregnancy app and a separate study on sleep. Respondents completed the initial screening questions to determine their risk for perinatal depression, defined as self-reported history of depression; recent stressors; history of emotional, sexual, or physical abuse; mild depressive symptoms; anxiety symptoms; single; diabetes diagnosis; or unwanted pregnancy. Eligible respondents reported their providers' recommendations for preventing depression, and their utilization of interventions to prevent depression (n = 303). RESULTS: Fewer than 15% of participants reported that a provider referred them for therapy or counseling to prevent depression; recommendations included cognitive behavioral therapy (4%), interpersonal psychotherapy (2.3%), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (4.3%), or other/unknown (6.6%). Approximately 12% reported that a provider recommended medication to prevent depression. Provider referral rates varied by risk factor, but not by patient demographics. Nearly 20% of participants reported using therapy or counseling to prevent depression, and nearly 13% reported using medication to prevent depression. CONCLUSIONS: We explore potential factors affecting the uptake of the USPSTF recommendation and underscore the importance of preventing perinatal depression.