San Francisco,
California
94118
Purpose:
Maternal depression influences the development of children's behavior problems and vice
versa; however most interventions singularly address maternal depression or children's
behavior problems rather than both. This project assesses the efficacy of an intervention
that treats both mothers and children in an integrated manner. Effects are expected to
disrupt the reciprocal relations that perpetuate maternal and child mental health problems
over time.
Study summary:
The proposed project is a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of
an integrated intervention that dually treats maternal depressive symptoms and offspring
behavior problems. Families (n = 40 mothers and their 2-to-4 year-old children) will be
randomized to receive 10 sessions of ABC or 10 sessions of ABC+D in their home. ABC+D is an
expanded version of ABC that additionally treats maternal depressive symptoms using Mothers
and Babies adapted for mothers of toddlers. The specific aims of this proposed project are:
Aim 1. Collect preliminary data on the feasibility and acceptability of ABC+D in preparation
for a small pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Aim 2. Conduct a small pilot RCT to examine the effectiveness of ABC and ABC+D
Aim 3: Assess the overall acceptability (mother- and provider-rated), appropriateness
(mother- and provider-rated), and feasibility (provider-rated) of ABC+D. Mothers will also
rate their satisfaction with each session and the degree to which it was helpful,
interesting, and comprehensible.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Mothers 18 years of age or older with heightened depressive symptoms as determined by
a score of 16 or higher on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression
Scale-Revised (CESD-R)
2. Biological children (of mothers described above) between 2 and 4 years old with
heightened behavior problems as determined by a score of 18 or higher on the Early
Childhood Screening Assessment (ECSA)
3. English- or Spanish-speaking
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Self-reported history of psychosis or active suicidality as defined by self-report of
a specific suicide plan or recent attempt
2. Child diagnosis of autism