Date Presented 04/03/2025
This systematic review was conducted to present the effects of social groups in improving social participation and symptoms of postpartum depression. There is evidence to suggest that social groups can reduce mental health symptoms.
Primary Author and Speaker: Maureen Hoppe
Additional Authors and Speakers: Brooke Riley
Contributing Authors: Megan Eastman, Caitlynn Peterson, Ayoma Watts-Johnson, Adebimpe Obembe
PURPOSE: Postpartum depression (PPD) is becoming increasingly more common and presents with significant impacts on both the mother’s and child’s health (Li et al., 2020). Maternal impacts of PDD include decreased physical and psychological health, and the infant impacts include developmental challenges. Mother-child interactions are crucial at this stage (Slomian et al., 2019). Higher levels of social support have decrease the likelihood of PPD (Amani et al., 2021; Ntow et al., 2021). The purpose of this systematic review was to present the effects of social group interventions for improving social participation and reducing symptoms of PPD.
METHODS: Six databases were searched: PubMed, OT Seeker, CINAHL, ProQuest, Wiley, and PsycARTICLES. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed for risk of bias.
RESULTS: 20 studies were included. Two studies used group yoga classes to increase physical health and reduce PDD. Ten studies used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Two studies used group yoga classes to increase physical health and reduce depressive symptoms. One study used singing as an intervention to reduce depressive symptoms. Three studies used exercise and physical activity to decrease depressive symptoms. All included studies observed an increase in overall social interaction through group interventions.
CONCLUSION: This systematic review demonstrates that social groups may be an effective intervention for decreasing symptoms and improving social interaction skills in women with postpartum depression. Further research is needed to support the integration of group-based therapy with occupational therapy for improving social interaction skills needed in women experiencing postpartum depression.
References
Amani, B., Merza, D., Savoy, C., Streiner, D., Bieling, P., Ferro, M. A., & Van Lieshout, R. J. (2021). Peer-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for postpartum depression. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 83(1). https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.21m13928
Li, Q., Yang, S., Xie, M., Wu, X., Huang, L., Ruan, W., & Liu, Y. (2020). Impact of some social and clinical factors on the development of postpartum depression in Chinese women. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-02906-y
Slomian, J., Honvo, G., Emonts, P., Reginster, J.-Y., & Bruyère, O. (2019). Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes. Women’s Health, 15, 174550651984404. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745506519844044
Ntow, K. O., Krzeczkowski, J. E., Amani, B., Savoy, C. D., Schmidt, L. A., & Van Lieshout, R. J. (2021). Maternal and infant performance on the face-to-face still-face task following maternal cognitive behavioral therapy for postpartum depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 278, 583–591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.101
