Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation Support for First-Time Expectant Couples Using a Mobile App in Singapore

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying emotional regulation and its effect on reducing parenting stress, improving parental self-efficacy, and enhancing child outcomes and productivity among working parents. This study focuses on first-time expectant couples during pregnancy, aiming to see if short weekly exercises delivered via a mobile app can help parents manage their emotions and reduce signs of depression. It also recognizes the important role of both mothers and fathers in influencing maternal stress and mood. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group receives weekly personalized modules through a mobile app, including activities such as breathing exercises, meditation, and mindful walking. The control group has access to a similar app but without personalized content. The intervention starts when the mother is less than 20 weeks pregnant and continues until the baby is born, lasting approximately 17 to 28 weeks depending on timing. Both groups complete surveys and wear Fitbit watches for activity tracking. Participants complete weekly well-being surveys during pregnancy and monthly work productivity surveys until six months after birth. Additional online surveys covering health, relationships, and background are done at the start, three times during pregnancy, and three times after birth. Participants also visit the research lab twice for tasks measuring thinking and behavior. The main outcome measured is parents depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, assessed at multiple points before and after birth, along with emotional regulation skills.

Bonding Before Birth: A mHealth Intervention for First-time Expectant Couples