A study of mothers in New Brunswick found that phone conversations with helpful peers can diminish postpartum depression (PPD).
Researchers in New Brunswick provided peer support through weekly phone calls to 64 mothers suffering from moderate PPD for several months. At the beginning of the experiment all 64 of the mothers were moderately depressed, yet by the midpoint only three showed symptoms of PPD. By the end of the study the numbers had risen again to four, suggesting some mothers had relapsed despite support.
The findings may point the way to a simple and accessible way to reduce PPD.
Original research paper published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing on February 23, 2015.
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