The OPAL feasibility study: Online parenting intervention for mothers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The OPAL feasibility and acceptability study of an online parenting intervention for mothers with mental health difficulties
IRAS ID
352080
Contact name
Anja Wittkowski
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
During the perinatal period up to 27% of new mothers experience significant mental health problems impacting their own wellbeing and their relationship with their baby. Whilst perinatal specialist mental health services exist to support these mothers, not all mothers will be accepted into the service and then offered individual or group-based psychological therapy. When they are offered therapy, mothers may have to wait before it starts depending on service capacity.
Parenting interventions were developed to improve parenting competence and confidence, improve parental wellbeing and mood and strengthen the couple relationship. Increasingly, they are delivered in a self-paced, interactive format that parents can access easily on their smartphone when, where and how it suits them.
With an increasing need for digital solutions to mental health problems, we plan to test the online Triple P for Baby parenting programme (Online BabyTP). In this feasibility and acceptability study (duration: 12 months), we aim to answer four key questions:
1) Can we recruit these mothers?
2) Will they engage with the online intervention?
3) What factors helped or hindered their engagement?
4) What do mothers and staff think of this intervention and its possible place as an additional intervention in this service?We plan to recruit a minimum of 20 mothers from the perinatal specialist service in Greater Manchester, but can offer the intervention to up to 100 mothers. Eligible mothers will be asked to complete five brief questionnaires before being offered the intervention and 10 weeks after starting it. We will offer them text messages and four calls to support their engagement and answer any questions. We also plan to interview a) 10-20 mothers about their experiences with the intervention and any potential benefits or drawbacks and b) 5-10 staff about their views and any implementation issues. Feasibility and acceptability data will be analysed and reported.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
25/WA/0041
Date of REC Opinion
18 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion