Title

Depression Treatment by Non-Mental-Health Providers: Incremental Evidence for the Effectiveness of Listening Visits

Date

2017

Author(s)

Rebecca L. Brock, Michael W. O'Hara, and Lisa S. Segre

Brief Type

Journal Publication

Model(s)

  • Other Models

Description

Maternal depression is a prevalent public health problem, particularly for low‐income mothers of young children. Intervention development efforts, which often focus on surmounting instrumental barriers to care, have not successfully engaged and retained women in treatment. Task‐sharing approaches like Listening Visits (LV) could overcome key instrumental and psychological barriers by leveraging the access of trusted, community caregivers to deliver treatment. A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated the efficacy of LV delivered by non‐mental‐health providers as compared to usual care. The present report presents results from a follow‐up phase of that RCT during which participants who had completed LV were followed for an additional 8 weeks and completed measures of depression and quality of life. In addition, participants who were initially randomized to the wait‐list control group received LV and were assessed. Treatment gains previously observed in participants completing LV were enhanced during the 8‐week follow‐up period. Participants receiving LV during the follow‐up period experienced significant improvement in depressive symptoms. Results demonstrate the sustainability of LV delivered by non‐mental‐health providers, and provide preliminary evidence for the replicability of this approach in a sample of predominately low‐income pregnant women and mothers of young children. (author abstract)

Data Collection Methods

  • Interviews
  • Standardized assessment tools
  • Surveys or questionnaires

Status

For More Information

Brock, R. L., O'Hara, M. W., & Segre, L. S. (2017). Depression treatment by non-mental-health providers: Incremental evidence for the effectiveness of listening visits. American Journal of Community Psychology, 59, 172-183.
doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12129
Author contact information:
Rebecca Brock
rebecca.brock@unl.edu

Topics

  • Participant, Family, and Program Outcomes
  • Program Enhancements, Innovations, and Promising Approaches
  • Participant Recruitment, Retention, Engagement, and Dosage