Triple P for Baby: findings from the Glasgow trial

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of Triple P for Baby has recently been completed in Glasgow, Scotland. The study was a two-arm, longitudinal (pre-intervention, post-intervention, 12 and 24 month follow up) RCT. In total, 156 first time parent couples were recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention and control arms (78 in each). The intervention was delivered in a total of eight sessions: four 2-hour group sessions that are delivered prenatally, followed by four weekly 30-minute telephone consultations with the Triple P facilitator starting when each couple’s baby was approximately six weeks old. The control arm received care as usual (CAU). The primary outcome measure was the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (21 item) and there were eleven secondary outcome measures assessing a range of variables, including: satisfaction with life, aspects of the couple relationship, social support, mother-infant bonding, infant behavior, and parenting satisfaction and competence. Independent data analysis is currently underway to examine changes in primary and secondary outcome measures from baseline to post-intervention and subsequent follow-ups, and differences between intervention and control groups. We will report findings relating to the primary research question - what impact does Triple P for Baby have on parents’ mental health as measured by the DASS? - and additional secondary research questions.