Universal prevention of maternal perinatal mental disorders and its implementation as normalized routine practice

Introduction

Maternal mental disorders are the most common complications during pregnancy and within the first year after childbirth (defined as the perinatal period) and are the leading cause of maternal suicide. Affected mothers cannot function properly, causing a devastating impact on the entire family. Effective primary prevention interventions are urgently needed. However, the current scientific evidence is insufficient to implement primary preventive programs at the population level.

Objectives

I aim to establish the effectiveness of universal preventive interventions for maternal perinatal mental disorders and to support their implementation as normalized routine practice in global healthcare services.

Methodological Framework

Integrating classical and emerging methodological frameworks, I will utilize:

1. Family systems
2. Self-determination theory
3. Normalization process theory

Additionally, I will incorporate the perspective of patient and public involvement in research.

Research Activities

I will undertake the following activities:

(a) Develop a personalized mobile-Health preventive intervention for mothers and their partners, which integrates evidence-based psychological components and personalized health recommendations.

(b) Test preventive intervention effectiveness for:

• Reducing the incidence of maternal depression and anxiety disorder
• Reducing father/partner symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Promoting child health and development

(c) Apply a causal methodology to pinpoint the underlying mechanisms for the effectiveness of the preventive intervention.

(d) Understand the implementation process and identify the factors that can promote or inhibit implementation.

Research Team and Impact

With the multidisciplinary team that I lead – and a large-scale hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial in real-world maternal health services – this research program promises to be the first in its field.

Expected Outcomes

The resulting robust scientific evidence and novel explanatory model will create a new research paradigm. A toolkit for implementation research will enhance translation as normalized routine practice.