Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
Official title: Adaptation and pilot testing of a couples-based intervention to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11538905 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot program in rural India tests a couples-based, lay-counselor–delivered approach to prevent perinatal depression for new mothers and their partners.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $204,206 |
| NIH project number | 4R00HD114849-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11538905 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Expectant or new mothers in rural Maharashtra and their husbands or partners who can participate in a couples-based program.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a partner or those unable to participate in weekly sessions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project adapts and tests a couples-focused intervention called JODI to help prevent depression during and after pregnancy in rural communities in Maharashtra, India. Trained female lay counselors will run weekly sessions with new mothers and their husbands, teaching dyadic coping skills and exploring gender norms. The aim is to improve mother-infant bonding, maternal well-being, and child development by addressing relational and societal drivers of distress. The study builds on prior work and qualitative research in LMIC settings to tailor the program for local culture and health systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce perinatal depression and improve outcomes for mothers, infants, and families in rural India.
How similar studies have gone: Couples-based approaches show promise in various settings, but this is among the first tailored for perinatal depression in South Asia using lay counselors.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gopalakrishnan, Lakshmi — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gopalakrishnan, Lakshmi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
A new, family-focused program helps new mothers and their husbands address perinatal depression in rural India using trained lay counselors.
-
Machine learning to tailor and prevent perinatal depression for pregnant and new mothers
A machine learning project at Carnegie Mellon aims to find personalized, scalable ways to prevent perinatal depression in pregnant people and new mothers.
-
Online sleep therapy to prevent depression during and after pregnancy
This project will see whether an online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can help prevent depression during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth for pregnant people with insomnia.
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Understanding how gut and body signals interact to influence perinatal depression
A study of pregnant people exploring how the gut microbiome and body signals contribute to depression during and after pregnancy.
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Couples program to prevent depression during pregnancy and after birth in rural India
A couples-based program to help first-time pregnant women and their partners in rural India lower the chance of depression during pregnancy and after childbirth.
-
IMAGINE digital group program to prevent perinatal depression
This pilot offers a mobile group-based cognitive behavioral program called IMAGINE to help pregnant and postpartum people lower their chance of developing depression.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.