RecruitingBehavioural intervention
Parenting Skills Group for Mothers With Postpartum Depression
The goal of this longitudinal study is to study the effects of a parenting skills group (Circle of Security Parenting, aka COSP) in mothers with postpartum depression. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Will changes in methylation of the OXTR rs53576 be apparent in mother and/or infant after having gone through the 8-week COSP program?
* Will COSP participation be associated with improved symptoms of postpartum depression (over and above standard care), attachment style, and relational characteristics of the mother-infant dyad?
* Will COSP participation be associated with changes in social behavior in the infant, and if so, do they persist throughout childhood?
Participants will
* Participate in an 8-week COSP program delivered remotely via Zoom.
* Provide buccal swabs (mother and infant) to assess changes in methylation of OXTR rs53576 pre- versus post-intervention.
* Complete a series of assessment questionnaires delivered remotely.
* Videotape a play-based assessment in their home.
* Receive infant developmental testing
Researchers will compare characteristics of waitlist controls to those participating in the COSP program at the mid-way point of the program to see if the two groups differ.