Bonding Before Birth: A mHealth Intervention for First-time Expectant Couples

Summary

Emotional regulation is a key component of reducing parenting stress, a sense of self-efficacy, and thus successful parenting, child outcomes, and productivity amongst working parents. However, few interventions begin building these necessary components in pregnancy prior to the extremely stressful period immediately post-partum, where little trait and behavioural modification occurs. More importantly, most interventions overlook the importance of having both partners, despite fathers/partners playing a significant role in influencing maternal stress and mood symptoms. This goal of this study is to examine whether short weekly exercises delivered through a mobile app can help first-time parents feel better emotionally during pregnancy. These exercises are designed to help people manage their emotions and stress. Researchers want to know if doing these exercises, along with getting weekly feedback and encouragement, can reduce signs of depression and improve emotional control. Expecting mothers and fathers who are having their first child may be able to join the study if they meet certain conditions. Participants should be planning to stay in Singapore for the next two years and be comfortable using a smartphone and answering questions in English. Participants may benefit from learning new ways to manage stress and emotions, which could help improve their mental health. Participants will wear a Fitbit watch to track activity. They will complete a short weekly survey about their well-being during pregnancy and a monthly survey about their work productivity until six months after the baby is born. They will also answer online surveys about their health, relationships, and background at the start, three times during pregnancy, and three times after birth. In addition, they will visit the research lab twice to take part in tasks that measure thinking and behaviour.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Mothers:

1. 21-50 years of age
2. Less than 20 weeks of pregnancy, confirmed by ultrasonography upon enrolment
3. Singleton pregnancy
4. Nulliparous
5. Plan to deliver in Singapore
6. Proficient and able to respond to questionnaires in English
7. Intends for herself and her child to stay in Singapore for the next 2 years
8. Access to a smartphone
9. Willing to download the study app
10. Score of 7 or more in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Fathers:

1. 21-75 years of age
2. Proficient and able to respond to questionnaires in English
3. Intends for himself and his child to stay in Singapore for the next 2 years
4. Access to a smartphone
5. Willing to download the study app

Exclusion Criteria:

Mothers:

1. Any pre-existing or history of psychotic depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders
2. Currently on oral/IV steroids and/or thyroid medication
3. History of thyroid disease
4. Pregnant using assisted reproductive technologies
5. Multiple pregnancies
6. Currently enrolled in interventional randomised controlled trials
7. Responded "Yes, quite often" to EPDS item 10 ("The thought of harming myself has occurred to me")

Fathers:

1\. Currently enrolled in interventional randomised controlled trials

Conditions6

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