Depression during pregnancy (antenatal depression), affects 10-20% of pregnant women in the UK, while postnatal depression affects around 10% of fathers. If left untreated, both antenatal and postnatal depression can have long-lasting impacts on parental wellbeing and infant development, as well as affecting the quality of the parent-infant relationship. Given the potential impact on these parent and infant outcomes, there is a pressing need for early and preventive interventions to support pregnant women and fathers.

 

Arts-based interventions, such as group singing, have emerged as a promising alternative to medication or psychological therapy, to support mental health and wellbeing. Indeed, previous research in mothers with postnatal depression has shown that group singing can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, lower biological markers of stress and enhance maternal feelings of closeness towards the baby. Building on this, our research from the recent SHAPER trial has shown that a specially designed group singing intervention, Breathe Melodies for Mums, by Breathe Arts Health Research, is an effective and acceptable treatment for mothers with postnatal depression (the period after the baby is born). However, despite these advances, most studies to date have focused on singing for mothers with depression in the postnatal period. Research is now needed to understand the effect of singing for both mothers experiencing antenatal depression and fathers with or at-risk of postnatal depression.

 

To address this gap, our project aims to adapt the SHAPER maternal postnatal singing intervention for use, a) during pregnancy in women experiencing symptoms of antenatal depression (Melodies for Mums to Be) and b) with fathers with or at-risk of postnatal depression (Melodies for Dads). Specifically, we will investigate whether these group singing programmes will reduce symptoms of depression and improve the parent-infant relationship. As part of the study, we will also explore the role of biological markers of stress (e.g., stress hormones) and psychosocial factors (e.g., childhood experiences, self-confidence and current social support).

 

To do this, in the Melodies for Mums to Be project, we plan to recruit 50 women with symptoms of depression in the second trimester of pregnancy. Participants will be randomly allocated to either receive six weeks of the Breathe Melodies for Mums singing intervention during pregnancy (consisting of weekly 60-minute sessions led by a trained singing lead) or standard antenatal care as usual. Those receiving standard antenatal care will be offered the opportunity to join singing sessions postnatally. Participants will complete assessments during pregnancy and the postnatal period (up to 12 months postpartum) to allow us to measure changes in symptoms of depression and the mother-infant relationship, as well as explore the role of biological markers of stress and psychosocial factors.

 

In the Melodies for Dads project, we plan to recruit 55 fathers at risk of postnatal depression, and their babies aged 0 to 12 months. All participants will receive eight weeks of the Breathe Melodies for Dads singing programme (consisting of weekly 60-minute sessions led by a trained male singing lead). They will complete assessments during the intervention period and at 10- and 24-weeks after the singing intervention is complete. This will allow us to measure the father-infant relationship and paternal mental health outcomes, as well as explore the role of biological markers of stress and psychosocial factors.