Mother-Infant Group Intervention on Maternal Depression and Bonding: A Quasi-Experimental Study

SignificanceLiterature indicates detrimental impacts of adverse bonding and maternal depression on children development. Parent-infant group psychotherapy suggests a positive effect on facilitating bonding and reducing depression severity. However, the evidence is limited and inconclusive. Since the treatment has never been applied in Taiwan, its effect and feasibility on Taiwanese women is unknown. The results established a preliminary positive outcome of parent-infant group on maternal bonding and depression. Also, by the first practice, we observe the participants have well motivation to join intervention with their infants and with other women. Parent-infant group is a promising treatment that warranted further exploration. ObjectivesParent-Infant Psychotherapy (PIP) aims at improving the interaction between parents and their infants. Group intervention has advantages in facilitating universality, support, and social learning. However, the researches on PIP adoption in a group format are limited. This study aims to explore the outcome of a mother-infant group on bonding and maternal depression.MethodsEighty-two infant mothers with subjective distress on parenting or depressed mood were recruited to participate in the intervention group (IG). Another sample of one hundred and ninety-four postpartum women was recruited as the control group (CG). Instruments for outcome measure were the Mother-Infant Bonding Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II), and Social Network Interaction System Questionnaire. Twelve courses of mother-infant groups were conducted for IG women. Each course consisted of twelve 90-min sessions. IG women joined the intervention with their infants and replied to the instruments at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. CG women replied to the instruments at similar intervals. Primary data analyses were performed by the intent-to-treat analysis, ANOVA, and GEE.ResultsRelative to CG participants, the IG women experienced significant benefits in most mother-infant bonding scores at both post-intervention and follow-up (ps = .000 - .026). IG women also experienced a greater reduction in follow-up depressive symptoms measured by EPDS (p = .023). However, no significant reduction was noted on BDI-II.ConclusionsMother-infant group intervention has preliminary effects on improving bonding and reducing depressive symptoms for women with infants. Further studies are warranted to replicate the results.