EAST LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan State University-led research team is seeking healthy pregnant people in ten states, including Illinois, for a new study about reducing and preventing postpartum depression.
At least one in eight women experience postpartum depression in the year after they give birth, according to the federal Office on Women's Health. It can create intense feelings that make it difficult to care for yourself and your baby.
Currently, there's a program known as ROSE - Reach Out, Stay strong Essentials - that can help women struggling postpartum. It was developed and validated by Caron Zlotnick, a faculty member at Brown University.
ROSE is a four-session class that can be conducted either in person or virtually. It focuses on building support, self-care, relationships, assertive communication and goal-setting. The program helps prevent postpartum depression by helping pregnant people consider what their needs might be and encourages participants to put support plans in place before the baby arrives.
ROSE has been proven to reduce postpartum depression by 50%. However, it's not widely administered across the country. Instead, it's often only assigned to those who are deemed to be at a higher risk for postpartum depression.
That's where the Michigan-led research team comes in, with a project known as ROSES II.
Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, ROSES II is administering ROSE to a large selection of study participants, regardless of if they're high-risk or not. The idea is to show how effective the program is for all involved and to make the case that ROSE should be made available to all who are expecting.
“We have seen these results in at least five randomized trials, and the program has been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for moms at risk. We believe that all moms should have access to these services," said Jennifer E. Johnson, founding chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health and chief translation officer in the Office of Health Sciences at Michigan State University.
Now, more participants are needed. The study is seeking healthy pregnant people in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington. Participants would be required to attend virtual interviews before and after birth. Some would also engage in the four-session ROSE program.
“The goal of the ROSES II project is to reduce suffering and increase joy for as many moms as possible during what can be a stressful and isolating time,” Johnson said. “We are excited to connect more pregnant people with ROSE to prevent as many cases of postpartum depression as possible.”
Those interested in applying can submit a form online or visit ROSEmom.org to register.
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