The effects of depressive symptom management interventions on low-income mothers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effects of depressive symptom management interventions (DSMI) for low-income mothers.

Background: Depressive symptoms and depression are common complications following childbirth. Depressive symptoms experienced by low-income mothers negatively affect infant-toddler development.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to provide a synthesized and critical appraisal of the included studies.

Data sources: We conducted a systematic search of randomized controlled trials in the following electronic databases through November 2017: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Cochrane Library CENTRAL.

Review methods: Ten studies were found in the systematic review of DSMI in terms of content, mode of delivery, session, and provider. We then conducted a meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials with 798 participants, comparing low-income mothers with and without DSMI.

Results: A significant effect was noted for DSMI in improving depressive symptoms in low-income mothers with young children and for interventions lasting 8 weeks or less.

Conclusion: The meta-analysis suggested that DSMI for low-income mothers can be effective; however, the effectiveness varies by intervention type, intervention duration, and whether the mothers had other children.

Impact: The findings of this study will contribute to the development of effective DSMI by providing scientific evidence for the development of such programmes for low-income mothers, especially with respect to target population and intervention duration.

Keywords: child growth; depressive symptom management intervention; depressive symptoms; low-income mothers; meta-analysis; nursing; systematic review.