Integrating Text Messages Into the Mothers and Babies Course

MB 1-on-1 is a 12-session intervention divided into five modules. An introductory 2-session module establishes key concepts related to stress, monitoring of one's mood, and ways in which one's mood influences one's internal thoughts and external environment; three 3-session modules correspond with key cognitive-behavioral elements: pleasant activities, thoughts, and social support/contact with others; a 1-session summary reviews content and identifies areas for future use of MB skills. Throughout MB, mood management skills are integrated using psycho-educational activities that encourage participants to understand connections between their mood and their activities, thoughts, and contacts with others.

MB 1-on-1 along with text enhancements, both in English and Spanish. These texts focus on: a) skill reinforcement (e.g., Some thoughts just come to us, but we can make a conscious effort to think of positive thoughts.); b) homework reminders (e.g., What pleasant activity will you try today?), and c) self-monitoring (e.g., On a scale of 1-9, how would you rate your mood?). These texts will be linked with the 12 MB sessions. Specifically, after completing each in-person session, 3 texts will be sent by a home visitor to her client; one text will focus on skill reinforcement, one will be a homework reminder, and one will focus on self-monitoring.