MomMoodBooster VA Program

The MomMoodBooster intervention is an empirically validated treatment for postpartum depression symptoms. The intervention was created by Brian Danaher and Milagra Tyler, who have continued to update the intervention technology and content. The intervention is now available for pregnant and postpartum Veterans, and it is accessible on browsers via computer, tablet, or mobile phone. The intervention contains six cognitive-behavioral modules that span six weeks, and it includes identification of pleasant activities, tracking mood and thoughts, and identification of goals. The current trial is an expansion of a nationwide service delivery project that has been ongoing for six years with the goal of offering the intervention to postpartum Veterans nationwide. Within that study, Veterans completed the online modules in concert with weekly phone coaching calls wherein coaches applied the content to the Veteran's current life. In addition, two booster modules and associated coaching calls were developed to continue application of the skills beyond the six-week intervention period. The present study seeks to investigate the incremental utility of the phone coaching component of the intervention by randomizing pregnant and postpartum Veterans to the MomMoodBooster intervention or the MomMoodBooster intervention plus phone coaching. Primary outcomes will include depressive symptoms, behavioral activation, and negative automatic thoughts.