A digital program to help new fathers see if they can prevent paternal postpartum depression
Official title: Pilot Randomized Trial of Together in Parenting, a Novel Digital Paternal Postpartum Depression Prevention Intervention
Run by Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island · NCT07594743 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This pilot tests a father-focused digital program called Together in Parenting (TIP) to see if it can prevent paternal postpartum depression and anxiety.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Providence, Rhode Island) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 7, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07594743 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
English-speaking men over 18 whose partner or infant is receiving care at WIHRI and who have smartphone or internet access.
✕Probably not a fit
Some participants may not experience mood improvement or may not benefit if symptoms do not develop or if engagement with digital content is limited.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional pilot study will adapt an interpersonal-therapy–based digital program for new fathers, delivering podcasts and educational handouts. It aims to determine feasibility and acceptability, identify the best timing for delivery to expectant or new fathers, and generate preliminary estimates of effect to inform a future efficacy trial. Eligible participants are English-speaking men over 18 with access to a smartphone or the internet who have a partner or infant receiving care at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island. The study will monitor safety and use patient-reported measures to gauge mood symptoms and perceived stress. The lead site is Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, with participation limited to that institution at this time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, TIP could provide an accessible, father-specific approach to reducing the risk of paternal postpartum depression and associated anxiety.
How similar studies have gone: Prior maternal PPD interventions exist, but paternal-specific prevention is limited; this approach represents a relatively novel application with some supportive rationale but limited prior paternal data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. English-speaking (for now, TIP is only available in English) 2. age \>18 years old, 3. smartphone ownership or access to home internet, 4. partner or patient received or receiving prenatal care from a resident or nurse-practitioner/midwifery clinic at the Obstetrics and Gynecologic Care Center (OGCC) at Women \& Infants Hospital of Rhode Island (WIHRI) or receiving an ultrasound at the WIHRI's Prenatal Diagnosis Center , 5. planned delivery or status post delivery at WIHRI. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Any self-reported active diagnosis or history of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric condition, as per patient report; 2. Endorsing active suicidality on intake survey or screening positive on the MDS (≥13)16 or GAD-7 (≥8) at time of enrollment; 3. prisoners; 4. infant with genetic abnormality, significant anatomic malformation, or NICU admission at time of enrollment; 5. inability to consent. If new results on the MDS or GAD-7 indicate a positive screening or the father's infant(s) is diagnosed with a genetic abnormality, significant anatomic malformation, or NICU admission after the enrollment and randomization period, the father will still be eligible to continue participation in the study. This information will be tracked in the REDCap database.
Where it's running
-
Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Stephanie Nunez, MS
- Email: snunez@wihri.org
- Phone: 401-274-1122
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.