Improving treatment for depression in new mothers and their infants

A Dyadic Approach to Perinatal Depression Treatment in Primary Care

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-10557092

This study is looking at a new way to help women who are feeling depressed during and after pregnancy by improving their connection with their babies and boosting their confidence as parents, and it will compare this new approach to regular care to see which works better.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10557092 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new approach to treating perinatal depression, which affects many women during and after pregnancy. It focuses on enhancing mother-infant interactions and parenting self-efficacy through a program called Maternal Infant and Dyadic Care (MInD). The study will compare this new treatment to standard care in a randomized controlled trial involving women experiencing depression during pregnancy. By addressing both maternal mental health and parenting skills, the research aims to improve outcomes for both mothers and their children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women or new mothers experiencing depression, particularly those from low-income or minority backgrounds.

Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing perinatal depression or those who are not in the perinatal period may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better mental health support for new mothers, ultimately benefiting their children’s development.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing both mental health and parenting skills can lead to improved outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.