One‐Day Online CBT Intervention for Postpartum Depression: Subjective Experiences and Pre‐Post Symptom Severity

ABSTRACT Purpose Postpartum depression (PPD) affects about 17% of parents after childbirth and can have adverse effects on individuals, families and offspring. Parents with PPD frequently encounter significant barriers to tailored health care that make timely access to treatment difficult. Methods Twenty‐nine help‐seeking German parents of at least one child (< 1 year old) and with symptoms of depression participated in a synchronous 1‐day online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) group intervention. Following a mixed‐methods approach, intervention acceptance and preferences were evaluated using semi‐structured interviews conducted 2 weeks post‐intervention. Analyses were performed via qualitative content analysis. Severity of depressive symptoms were assessed via the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) 1 week before and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results Twenty‐one interviews were conducted. Most participants rated the workshop as overall helpful ( n = 164, 72.57%), with workshop characteristics, such as the online format ( n = 112; 68.29%) and structure ( n = 15; 20.55%) being most helpful. Expectations were mostly content‐related ( n = 25; 52.08%), and 80% ( n = 20) of expectations were met (e.g. regarding self‐help strategies being taught or deepening of existing knowledge). Two weeks after participation, the majority of parents were still applying intervention techniques in their daily lives ( n = 42; 77.78%). Depressive symptoms were also significantly reduced at post‐measurement ( t = 3159; p = 0.004; d = 0.608). Conclusions The 1‐day online CBT group intervention is easily accessible and could support parents after birth by teaching cognitive behavioural strategies to cope with symptoms of PPD.