Social Media-Based Parenting Program for Women With Postpartum Depressive Symptoms: Impact on Child Development

Participants in the control group will be enrolled in MoodGym, an evidence-based online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program for depression. Through the MoodGym program, participants will have access to interactive exercises, workbooks, anxiety and depression quizzes, and downloadable relaxation audio files. Investigators will supplement Moodgym with a facilitator contact by texting or email to check-in and encourage completion of intervention. MoodGym will provide information on the number of sessions completed by participants (engagement and dosage).

Participants in the intervention group will be enrolled in Facebook secret user groups, administered by a trained facilitator, to permit participants to view and comment on posted materials. Content and user identity are restricted to invited participants to maintain privacy. Investigators will organize educational materials into video vignettes, narrated PowerPoint presentations, and written materials. The facilitator reviews and comments on postings daily and provides feedback to participants. Facebook analytics for the secret groups are available to group administrators and will provide information on any sessions viewed and counts of sessions viewed and comments posted. Participants randomized to the intervention will also have the option to take part in a preliminary virtual session through a secure video platform (e.g. BlueJeans) and will receive weekly engagement text messages. Women in the intervention group will be enrolled in the online depression treatment program, MoodGym.