Preventing perinatal depression in couples 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-10864570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help first-time pregnant couples in rural central India by testing a program that strengthens their relationship and support for each other to prevent depression during and after pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| 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, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $142,021 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HD114849-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10864570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are first-time pregnant couples living in rural central India.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not first-time parents or those living outside the targeted rural areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to adapt and test a couples-based intervention to prevent perinatal depression, which affects many women during and after pregnancy. The approach focuses on improving relationship dynamics and social support between partners, addressing factors that contribute to depression. By conducting a pilot randomized controlled trial, the study will evaluate how well this intervention works in rural central India, specifically targeting first-time pregnant couples. The goal is to culturally adapt existing evidence-based methods to fit the local context and assess their feasibility and acceptability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of perinatal depression among couples, leading to better mental health outcomes for mothers and healthier development for their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that couples-based interventions can effectively prevent perinatal depression in high-income settings, suggesting potential for success in similar low-income contexts.
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.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
A pilot program in rural India tests a couples-based, lay-counselor–delivered approach to prevent perinatal depression for new mothers and their partners.
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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.
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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.
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.