# Addressing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) through a doula intervention

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA · 2024 · $211,117

## Abstract

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) have intergenerational negative impacts on the physical 
and mental health of women and their families and are the most frequently experienced childbirth 
complication. PMADs are particularly common in rural populations, who experience additional obstacles in 
accessing maternal and child health (MCH) and mental health services. Doulas, non-medically trained 
childbirth and postpartum companions, have been proposed as one way to address existing healthcare 
gaps, and as a way to improve mental health outcomes, along with additional MCH outcomes such as 
decreased substance use, increased prenatal and postpartum healthcare visit attendance, and 
improvements in overall maternal physical wellbeing. The aims of this research are: 1) Explore the use of 
doulas to improve self-efficacy and maternal mental health outcomes for rural populations; 2) Develop a 
doula intervention to improve self-efficacy and maternal mental health in rural populations; and 3) Pilot a 
doula-led intervention to improve self-efficacy and maternal mental health outcomes. Using the NIM....'s 
experimental therapeutics approach, I will explore the underlying mechanism impacting these outcomes 
by focusing on how doulas improve self-efficacy among their clients. Following Whitbeck's (2006) model 
for adaptation of interventions, and community-based participatory research (CBPR) best practices, I will 
use formative and exploratory research approaches to address knowledge gaps about the use of doulas 
to improve PMADs and secondary maternal and infant health outcomes. Through this project we will first 
collect primary qualitative data regarding the feasibility of using doulas to improve PMAD health outcomes 
and will identify the needs and barriers in accessing mental health care, as well as social and emotional 
support that could be addressed by doulas (N=40). The proposed research will then synthesize 
quantitative data on the use of doulas and peer-support models with qualitative data collected from 
semi-structured interviews to develop and test a doula-led intervention through adapting an existing 
doula-training. A mixed-methods approach will be used to analyze findings from study participants (N=75) 
and doulas and providers (N=20). This project will provide preliminary data for the cultural adaptation of 
the intervention for use with other marginalized groups and rural populations, including Indigenous 
communities, who experience heightened PMADs and other negative MCH outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10862783
- **Project number:** 5P20GM130418-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica Liddell
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $211,117
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10862783

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10862783, Addressing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) through a doula intervention (5P20GM130418-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10862783. Licensed CC0.

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