Virtual group care to prevent postpartum depression in immigrant Latinas
Official title: Preventing postpartum depression among immigrant Latinas through a virtual group intervention
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11397717 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A federally funded program tests a virtual group, based on CBT and attachment theory, to help pregnant women and new mothers from immigrant Latina communities reduce postpartum depression symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $521,316 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD017622-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397717 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pregnant women or new mothers from immigrant Latina communities with elevated depressive symptoms and/or risk factors, enrolled in early childhood programs in Maryland.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience a reduction in depressive symptoms or may not engage effectively with virtual sessions.
What this research studies
This grant funds a large, real-world trial that delivers a proven group-based program to immigrant Latinas through online sessions. It compares Mothers and Babies Virtual Group to usual family support services, aiming to reduce depressive symptoms and prevent postpartum depression while boosting parenting confidence. Participants are pregnant or new mothers enrolled in early childhood programs across Maryland, with 300 women total (150 per arm). The study builds on earlier pilot work showing feasibility and potential benefits for mental health and parenting. Results could inform scalable online mental health support for a group that faces access barriers due to culture and geography.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce postpartum depression among immigrant Latinas and improve parenting outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pilot work showed feasibility and acceptability with signs of improved mental health, suggesting potential for a larger impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tandon, Shiv Darius — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Tandon, Shiv Darius
Related research
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ROSE Scale-Up: Expanding universal postpartum depression prevention for new mothers
A national effort to roll out the ROSE prevention program to all new mothers, to see if universal use can reduce postpartum depression.
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How Medicaid Postpartum Coverage and PPD Screening Could Improve Diabetes and Blood Pressure Care After Birth
A large NIH grant is studying how extending Medicaid after birth and mandating postpartum depression screening affect care for women with gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related high blood pressure.
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.