Predictors of treatment response in depressed mothers receiving in-home cognitive-behavioral therapy and concurrent home visiting

Abstract

Home visiting is a child abuse prevention strategy that seeks to optimize child development by providing mothers with support, training, and parenting information. Research has consistently found high rates of depression in mothers participating in home visiting programs and low levels of obtaining mental health treatment in the community. Successful treatment of depressed mothers in home visiting programs holds the potential to improve maternal and child outcomes. In-Home Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (IH-CBT) is an adapted treatment for depressed mothers, which is provided alongside home visiting and seeks to optimize engagement and impact through delivery in the home setting; a focus on issues important to young, low-income mothers; and a strong collaborative relationship between therapists and home visitors. This study examined predictors of depression status at posttreatment in 60 mothers who received IH-CBT and concurrent home visiting. Variables considered included demographics, illness history, severity, and numbers of treatment sessions and home visits. Results indicated that young maternal age, fewer episodes of major depressive disorder, lower depression severity at pretreatment, lower levels of symptoms of personality disorders, and more treatment sessions and home visits predicted asymptomatic status at posttreatment.