Exploring women’s experiences on an internet-delivered intervention to prevent depression and enhance subjective well-being during the perinatal period: A qualitative study (Preprint)

Abstract

Background: The perinatal period is a vulnerable time where women are at increased risk of depression. “Mamma Mia” is a universal preventive internet intervention offered to pregnant women with the primary goals to prevent the onset or worsening of depression and enhance subjective well-being during the perinatal period. However, treatment dropout from internet-based interventions is often reported. The study aim was to acquire an understanding of different experiences among participants who dropped out of the Mamma Mia intervention during pregnancy, compared to the participants who dropped out during the postpartum and follow-up phase.

The study aim was thus to acquire an understanding of different experiences among participants who dropped out of the intervention during pregnancy, compared to the participants who dropped out during the postpartum and follow-up phase.

Methods: A total of 16 women from a larger randomized controlled trial (Mamma Mia) were interviewed with individual semi-structured interviews following a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats format. Of the 16 participants included, eight women dropped out early in the intervention during pregnancy (pregnancy group), while eight women dropped out later, after giving birth (postpartum and follow-up group). Data were analyzed using the framework approach.

Results: The results showed that there were differences between the groups. In general, more participants in the postpartum and follow-up group reported that the program was user-friendly. They became more aware of their own thoughts and feelings and perceived that the program had provided them with more new knowledge and practical information than the participants in the pregnancy group. Respondents in both groups suggested several opportunities for improving the program.

Conclusions: There were differences between women who dropped out of the intervention during pregnancy and the postpartum and follow-up phase. The reported differences between groups should be further examined.