Poster Abstract

Title: Comparison of Engagement Rates for Online Behavioral Interventions for Postpartum/Perinatal Depression.

Yunsu1 

Jacqueline K. Gollan, PhD2

1 Department of Psychology, University of Rochester,500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd. Rochester, NY 14627 USA

2 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St Clair Street, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL, 60611 USA

Abstract

Title: Comparison of Engagement Rates for Online Behavioral Interventions for Postpartum/Perinatal Depression

Importance: Understanding engagement rates and retention in online behavioral interventions is crucial for improving mental health outcomes for postpartum and perinatal women. These populations often face significant barriers to accessing traditional mental health care, including time constraints and stigma. High dropout rates and low adherence in online interventions present additional challenges. Identifying effective strategies to keep participants engaged and ensure the interventions are impactful is essential.

Objective: This study aims to compare engagement rates, retention, and satisfaction across four online behavioral interventions designed to address postpartum and perinatal depression and anxiety: Be a Mom, Smart-e-Moms, Internet-based What Am I Worried About (iWaWa), and the Maternal Adiposity, Metabolism, and Stress (MAMAS) study. The goal is to identify which elements contribute to higher engagement and retention, providing insights for optimizing future interventions.

Design: This is a comparative analysis of four distinct online intervention programs, focusing on their recruitment strategies, participant engagement, retention rates, satisfaction, and overall effectiveness.

Setting: This is a comparative analysis of four distinct online intervention programs, focusing on their recruitment strategies, participant engagement, retention rates, satisfaction, and overall effectiveness. The study analyzes quantitative data on participant engagement, dropout rates, and qualitative feedback on satisfaction and usability.

Participants: The programs were conducted in various settings, including online platforms, hospital-based prenatal clinics, and community centers. The interventions were designed to be accessible and convenient for postpartum and perinatal women, integrating both digital and in-person components where applicable.

Participants: The study includes data from:

  • Be a Mom: 800 postpartum women.

  • Smart-e-Moms: 556 participants.

  • iWaWa: 89 eligible women (treatment group: 46; wait-list control group: 43).

  • MAMAS: Phase 1: 127 women screened, 69 eligible and enrolled; Phase 2: 204 women contacted, 135 screened, 68 eligible, and 47 enrolled.

Main Outcomes and Measures:

·         Engagement Rates: Percentage of participants viewing at least one lesson, all lessons, and the first session.

·         Retention Rates: Dropout rates after the third session.

·         Satisfaction Rates: Participant feedback on usefulness and understanding, measured through surveys and Likert scales.

·         Program Completion: Average number of lessons viewed and overall satisfaction with the program.

Results:

  • Total Participants: Be a Mom had the highest number of participants (N=800), followed by Smart-e-Moms (N=556), iWaWa (N=89), and MAMAS (N=69 in Phase 1; N=47 in Phase 2).

  • Participants Viewing at Least One Lesson: Be a Mom had 725 participants (90.6%), iWaWa had 26 participants (56%).

  • Participants Viewing All Lessons: Be a Mom had 222 participants (30.6%), iWaWa had 2 participants (4.34%).

  • Participants Viewing First Session: Be a Mom had 725 participants, iWaWa had 25 participants, MAMAS Phase 2 had nearly 65% starting from hospital-based prenatal clinics.

  • Dropout Rates: iWaWa had the highest dropout rate at 82% after the third session, while MAMAS Phase 2 had an 8.5% dropout rate.

  • Satisfaction Rates: Be a Mom reported 71.4% satisfaction, 85% recommendation rate, and 76.8% reuse intent. iWaWa had 71% usefulness satisfaction at 8 weeks. MAMAS reported 89% overall satisfaction.

  • Average Number of Lessons Viewed: Be a Mom participants viewed an average of 2.21 modules, iWaWa participants viewed 1.65 modules on average, and MAMAS had a 71.3% mean attendance rate for intervention classes.

Conclusions and Relevance: The comparative analysis reveals significant variations in engagement, retention, and satisfaction rates across the four programs. High dropout rates, especially in iWaWa, highlight the need for more user-friendly and relevant content. The Be a Mom program shows strong engagement and satisfaction, suggesting that concise modules and addressing postpartum depression directly may improve adherence. Personalized contact and support, as seen in the MAMAS study, appear to enhance retention. These findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions that consider user experience, program relevance, and practical support mechanisms to optimize engagement and effectiveness in online behavioral interventions for postpartum and perinatal women.

Acknowledgements: We acknowledge the contributions of the research teams and participants of each program, as well as the funding provided by various institutions, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for the MAMAS study. Special thanks to the City, University of London, and Monash University for their collaboration in the iWaWa study, and the various healthcare providers and community centers involved in participant recruitment and support.

Generalizability of Research/Other Considerations: The generalizability of the findings is influenced by the diverse recruitment strategies and settings of the programs. Future research should explore culturally tailored interventions and consider integrating more interactive and supportive elements to enhance engagement and retention in online behavioral health programs. Additionally, the differences in technological accessibility and preferences among participants highlight the need for adaptive and flexible intervention designs to meet varying needs and contexts. Further studies should also investigate the long-term effects of these interventions on mental health outcomes and their potential integration into standard postpartum care practices.

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