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May 14, 2026American Journal of Psychotherapy0 citations

It Takes a Village: Association of Family Social Engagement With Reduced Postpartum Depression During Psychotherapy

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LSLeah SusserAHAliayah HimelfarbHDHeather Doherty

Key Points

  • This study aims to understand how different social activities can reduce postpartum depression during psychotherapy.
  • Women with postpartum depression (N=38) participated in a 9-week Engage & Connect psychotherapy program.
  • Participants engaged in weekly social activities with friends, partners, infants, families, or alone.
  • The study analyzed which types of social engagement were predictive of PPD reduction.
  • Engagement with family significantly predicted a reduction in postpartum depression (F=5.81, p=0.02, N=30).
  • Social activities with friends were the most frequently chosen, but family engagement provided the most benefit for PPD reduction.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Social disconnection increases risk for and persistence of postpartum depression (PPD). This study examined which social activities reduce PPD during psychotherapy designed to improve social engagement with significant others. METHODS: Women with PPD (N=38) received 9 weeks of Engage however, only engagement with family predicted PPD reduction during psychotherapy (F=5.81, df=1 and 265, p=0.02, N=30). CONCLUSIONS: Women were most likely to choose social activities with friends. Engagement with family was the most beneficial for reducing PPD. These results can be used to inform future clinical recommendations.

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Cite This Study

Susser et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0567e9a550a87e60a201efhttps://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20250056
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Engage & connect psychotherapy improves social reward responsivity and reduces postpartum depression2025
  2. 2Examining the Role of Family Members in Perinatal Interventions Targeting Postpartum Depression: A Decade in Review2026
  3. 3Changes in Parental Reflective Functioning before and after a postpartum depression group therapy2024
  4. 4Community Interventions for Addressing Postpartum Depression Across the United States: A Narrative Review2026
  5. 5Support preferences among women with and without postpartum depression and anxiety disorder2025