Effectiveness of Antenatal Emotional Self-Management Training Program in Prevention of Postnatal Depression in Chinese Women

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to study the effectiveness of an emotional self-management training program to antenatal women in the prevention of postnatal depression. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample comprised 240 women who were at 32 weeks antenatal. They were randomly assigned into the intervention group and the control group. FINDINGS: On completion of the program, the intervention group reported significantly lower mean Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores than the control group. Fewer participants from the intervention group were diagnosed as having postnatal depression using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: An antenatal emotional self-management training that may lower the risk of developing postnatal depression among Chinese women is recommended.