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Maternal Health, Nursing, Black Culture, Reproductive Health
Improving Postpartum Mental Health and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Women of Color Who Are Pregnant and Experiencing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Through Group Prenatal Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Reported in Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health
June 26, 2026 at 1:55:52 PM
Abstract
A mental health epidemic exists in women of color who are pregnant. This longitudinal, 2-group randomized controlled trial enrolled 299 Black and Hispanic participants who screened high on depression, anxiety, or stress scales. Two 6-session group prenatal care interventions were evaluated: the COPE-Pregnancy cognitive-behavioral skills-building (CBSB) program administered by midwives, and a health promotion attention control. Both groups demonstrated rapid, significant decreases in depression, anxiety, and stress over time through 6 months postpartum, but only COPE-P participants showed significant improvements in healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors. The findings support midwife-administered CBSB group prenatal care for women of color.
A two-group randomized controlled trial enrolled 299 pregnant Black and Hispanic women screening high for depression, anxiety, or stress and compared midwife-administered group prenatal care (the COPE-P cognitive-behavioral skills-building program) with a health-promotion attention control. Both groups showed rapid, significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress over six months postpartum, but only COPE-P participants demonstrated significant improvements in healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors. Findings support integrating CBSB interventions into midwifery group prenatal care for women of color.
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