Engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression: A mixed methods study in Nepal

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common experience among mothers worldwide. Family members, especially husbands, can play an integral role in supporting and helping mothers recover from PPD. However, husbands are typically not included in interventions to address postpartum depression am...

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Main Authors: Anvita Bhardwaj, Sujen Man Maharjan, Alka Jarga Magar, Rajeev Shrestha, Anjana Dongol, Ashley Hagaman, Alastair Van Heerden, James Caracoglia, Joseph J. Gallo, Sarah M. Murray, Brandon A. Kohrt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:SSM - Mental Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000458
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author Anvita Bhardwaj
Sujen Man Maharjan
Alka Jarga Magar
Rajeev Shrestha
Anjana Dongol
Ashley Hagaman
Alastair Van Heerden
James Caracoglia
Joseph J. Gallo
Sarah M. Murray
Brandon A. Kohrt
author_facet Anvita Bhardwaj
Sujen Man Maharjan
Alka Jarga Magar
Rajeev Shrestha
Anjana Dongol
Ashley Hagaman
Alastair Van Heerden
James Caracoglia
Joseph J. Gallo
Sarah M. Murray
Brandon A. Kohrt
author_sort Anvita Bhardwaj
collection DOAJ
description Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common experience among mothers worldwide. Family members, especially husbands, can play an integral role in supporting and helping mothers recover from PPD. However, husbands are typically not included in interventions to address postpartum depression among women. This study explored husbands’ perspectives on engaging in a counseling intervention augmented with a digital health component for the treatment of PPD. Methods: A convergent mixed methods design was used to evaluate husbands’ attitudes and involvement in a counseling and digital intervention for mothers in a semi-urban region of Nepal.Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews was used to derive emergent themes. A joint display examined differences in themes for husbands whose wives experienced a significant decline in PPD symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 pre and post intervention, as compared to husbands of women whose symptoms stayed the same or worsened. Results: Thirteen husbands were interviewed. Three primary themes emerged: the impact of gender norms and attitudes on engagement in the intervention, involvement and support in the intervention, and suggestions for future interventions for PPD. Among wives who experienced a reduction in depression symptoms, their husbands were more likely to endorse gender-equitable norms and attitudes and the husbands provided emotional support, as well as participating in household chores and childcare. Conclusion: When husbands are living in the same household, providing support and being involved in their wives’ PPD treatment can help them recover. Husbands describe time at home and work as barriers to being able to help their wives. PPD interventions that involve husbands might need to educate husbands about how they can provide emotional support to their partner.
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spelling doaj-art-09138c206b97417d8051a6d2f430736a2025-08-20T02:50:09ZengElsevierSSM - Mental Health2666-56032024-12-01610034010.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100340Engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression: A mixed methods study in NepalAnvita Bhardwaj0Sujen Man Maharjan1Alka Jarga Magar2Rajeev Shrestha3Anjana Dongol4Ashley Hagaman5Alastair Van Heerden6James Caracoglia7Joseph J. Gallo8Sarah M. Murray9Brandon A. Kohrt10Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Corresponding author. 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.Research and Development Division, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, NepalResearch and Development Division, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, NepalResearch and Development Division, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, NepalResearch and Development Division, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, NepalDepartment of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USACenter for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; SAMRC/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaCenter for Global Mental Health Equity, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USADepartment of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USADepartment of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USACenter for Global Mental Health Equity, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USABackground: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common experience among mothers worldwide. Family members, especially husbands, can play an integral role in supporting and helping mothers recover from PPD. However, husbands are typically not included in interventions to address postpartum depression among women. This study explored husbands’ perspectives on engaging in a counseling intervention augmented with a digital health component for the treatment of PPD. Methods: A convergent mixed methods design was used to evaluate husbands’ attitudes and involvement in a counseling and digital intervention for mothers in a semi-urban region of Nepal.Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews was used to derive emergent themes. A joint display examined differences in themes for husbands whose wives experienced a significant decline in PPD symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 pre and post intervention, as compared to husbands of women whose symptoms stayed the same or worsened. Results: Thirteen husbands were interviewed. Three primary themes emerged: the impact of gender norms and attitudes on engagement in the intervention, involvement and support in the intervention, and suggestions for future interventions for PPD. Among wives who experienced a reduction in depression symptoms, their husbands were more likely to endorse gender-equitable norms and attitudes and the husbands provided emotional support, as well as participating in household chores and childcare. Conclusion: When husbands are living in the same household, providing support and being involved in their wives’ PPD treatment can help them recover. Husbands describe time at home and work as barriers to being able to help their wives. PPD interventions that involve husbands might need to educate husbands about how they can provide emotional support to their partner.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000458Male engagementPostpartum depressionmHealthNepal
spellingShingle Anvita Bhardwaj
Sujen Man Maharjan
Alka Jarga Magar
Rajeev Shrestha
Anjana Dongol
Ashley Hagaman
Alastair Van Heerden
James Caracoglia
Joseph J. Gallo
Sarah M. Murray
Brandon A. Kohrt
Engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression: A mixed methods study in Nepal
SSM - Mental Health
Male engagement
Postpartum depression
mHealth
Nepal
title Engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression: A mixed methods study in Nepal
title_full Engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression: A mixed methods study in Nepal
title_fullStr Engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression: A mixed methods study in Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression: A mixed methods study in Nepal
title_short Engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression: A mixed methods study in Nepal
title_sort engaging husbands in a digital mental health intervention to provide tailored counseling for women experiencing postpartum depression a mixed methods study in nepal
topic Male engagement
Postpartum depression
mHealth
Nepal
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000458
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