Below are current research studies being conducted in the field of perinatal mental health.

The PSI Research Committee has reviewed study summaries and ethical procedures and has approved these studies for inclusion on our website.

  • Do you want help recruiting for a research study? If you have a research project relating to pregnancy, postpartum, or post-loss mental health, you can submit a request for us to include a summary of your project and a call for enrollment. Fill out the form here to submit your project for review.  
  • Enroll in study? Please visit the link listed below.
  • Have additional questions, please contact: communications@postpartum.net

An Exploration of Physician Engagement with Fathers and Non-Birthing Parents: Physician’s Meaning Making of Father Inclusive Practices

An exploration of physicians values, beliefs, and attitudes towards father and non-birthing parents-inclusive practices and physicians ability to implement strategies into their clinical practice.

Recruiting for: Physicians – ob/gyn, pediatricians, family medicine and psychiatrists

Click here for flyer.

Contact: Aretha Hampton ahampton@fielding.edu

Recruitment Ends 3/22/24

Center M Randomized Trial

Depression during pregnancy and postpartum is alarmingly common, and even more common among pregnant people who are underserved. Mental health is currently the leading driver of US maternal death. There is an urgent need for evidence-based treatments that address maternal mental health. Pregnant people self-identified as Black and/or Indigenous, those receiving or eligible for Medicaid insurance, and those in rural communities often experience barriers to accessing pregnancy-timed mental health support. Given the strong efficacy evidence base but clear access issues, attention now focuses on modifying Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy – Perinatal Depression (MBCT-PD) delivery to work in real world settings. The overarching goal of Center M is to develop a digital platform to improve access and outcomes for perinatal depression, especially for high risk, underserved pregnant people.

• 18-50 years of age
• Currently pregnant at or over 10 weeks of gestation
• Able to fluently understand, speak and read English
• Available, able and willing to attend online group sessions
• Willing and able to receive home practice materials on an accessible smartphone, tablet, or computer
• Residing in the US at time of consenting

Xaviera Martinez-Ziegenfuss, preventpostpartumd@ohsu.edu, 503-702-1622

Recruitment ends 8/12/24

Validation of the City Birth Trauma Scale

This is a validation study of the City Birth Trauma Scale (which assesses for postpartum PTSD symptoms) to evaluate its efficacy with Black mothers. In the original study, there was an overall lack of diversity, but especially with Black participants (2 out of the 950 identifying as Black). Given that there is research that suggests that PSTD symptoms can manifest differently within the Black community, the researchers believe it to be extremely important to understand if this current measure of postpartum PSTD would accurately assess those factors in Black women.

Cis-gendered women (assigned female at birth and identify with that sex), who: identify as Black/African American, are United States Citizens, are at least 18 years of age, have had a live birth within the previous 12 months, and do not know the researchers personally

Briana Roberts, broberts@ adler.edu; SydneDion Lampkin, slampkin@adler.edu; faculty sponsor: Dr. Marsha Vaughn, PhD, LMFT, mvaughn@adler.edu

Flyer

Recruitment Ends: 5/27/24

Lived Experiences of Black Women in Pregnancy and Pregnancy Loss While Navigating the Health Care System

Seeking participants who are Black/African American who have experienced pregnancy loss and what their experience was like during pregnancy. Wanting to hear about their experiences with providers and healthcare staff along with the impact of loss

Black women age 18 and above who have experienced pregnancy loss and not currently pregnant

What is involved: Participants will be asked to participate in a 60-90 minute semi-structured interview.

Contact for more information: Alicia P Harris aharris8323@ucumberlands.edu

Flyer

Recruitment Ends: 4/16/24

Postpartum experiences of women with a history of trauma and substance use

Did you have a baby in the last 5 years? Please join us in sharing your experiences of motherhood.

Participation includes: Questionnaire and 1 hour Zoom Interview

You qualify:

  • Are you over the age of 18 years
  • Had a baby in the last 5 years
  • Experienced Trauma
  • Struggle with substance abuse, but currently over.

Complete the survey to see if you qualify. $30 gift card upon completing of the interview and questionnaire if eligible to participate.

Contact: Dr. Agata Freedle; agatafreedle@umsl.edu

Learn More Here

PSI Alma Program Pilot: Expanding A Peer Mentoring Program for Parents During the Perinatal Period Nationally with Postpartum Support International

FEELING DOWN OR OVERWHELMED?
Join a peer mentoring research study and get support.

  • CONNECT WITH A PEER MENTOR
  • ANSWER MOOD ASSESSMENT SURVEYS
  • RECEIVE UP TO $85 IN GIFT CARDS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION

Developed by a collaborative team of researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, mental health providers, community members, and parents, the Alma Program is an evidence-based peer mentoring program created with and for new parents experiencing depression, anxiety, and stress. This study investigates whether the Alma Program gives expectant parents the support and skills they need to navigate this new chapter in their lives. Participation lasts about 7 months.

Please click the link below to see if you are eligible.
https://redcap.link/alma-psi

For questions about the Alma Study, contact a member of our study team by texting ‪(720) 593-1406‬ or emailing almaprogram@colorado.edu

Participating in Alma means being a part of a research study. (IRB 23-0470)

View Flyer for more information

Contact: For questions about the Alma Study, contact a member of our study team at ‪(720) 593-1406‬ or almaprogram@colorado.edu

Recruitment Ends 5/31/24

Cultural Experiences of Perinatal Care

The aim of this study is to understand the barriers and facilitators to perinatal care for people with uteruses. This study acknowledges that the intersectionalities of each participant’s experience impact their perinatal care and perspective of that care. These identities and experiences should be honored. Additionally, this study aims to consider perinatal in more inclusive terms by using language such as “person with a uterus” rather than “women” or “mom”.

Participation is open to people with uteruses who have the biological means of getting pregnant and giving birth. You are eligible to participate in this study if: You are 18 years of age or older You are a person with a uterus. You have experienced any of the following: infertility, conception, pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, stillbirth, postpartum. View Flyer for more information.

Contact: Caitlin Senk, csenk@antioch.edu

Recruitment Ends 5/31/24