Problem-Solving Education to Prevent Depression Among Low-Income Mothers

Key Points Question What are the principal mechanisms by which problem-solving education prevents depression among low-income mothers? Findings In this mediation analysis of 230 Head Start mothers participating in a randomized clinical trial, those receiving problem-solving education experienced a reduction in depressive symptom episodes. Across an array of plausible theory-based intervention mediators, improvement in perceived stress was associated with both intervention participation and depressive symptom outcomes; however, the mechanism for much of the intervention’s impact on depression remained unexplained. Meaning Problem-solving interventions may reduce depressive symptom burden, in part, by helping recipients manage stress; successfully scaling such interventions may require expanding intervention components related to stress management and reducing components that are unrelated.