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Biobehavioral perspectives on social connectedness and the âMindful Momsâ intervention for marginalized pregnant women with depression

Award Number: R01NR020220
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/06/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

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Biobehavioral perspectives on social connectedness and the âMindful Momsâ intervention for marginalized pregnant women with depression - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Background: Nearly 20% of women in the United States experience clinically significant depressive symptoms during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Although treatments exist for depressive symptoms such as antidepressants and psychotherapy, many women remain under- or un-treated due to concerns about stigma, side effects, and costs, particularly marginalized women (minority, low socioeconomic status). Further, the standard depression treatments do not address social connectedness, which is a potentially modifiable factor involved in depressive symptoms. A focus on adequate symptom management through safe, non- pharmacologic, accessible therapies that address social connectedness during pregnancy in marginalized women is an urgent clinical and research priority. Preliminary Data: Preliminary evidence from our research team shows a promising pathway for addressing social connectedness in the context of perinatal depression: we have piloted the “Mindful Moms” intervention in a NICHD-funded study (R15HD086835, Kinser); the 12- week intervention involves a brief motivating discussion about symptom self-management plus group-based mindful physical activity (prenatal yoga) sessions. Study findings provide support of protocol feasibility and intervention acceptability, with qualitative findings leading us to hypothesize that social connectedness plays as a key role in symptom management. Also, we have identified epigenetic patterns uniquely related to postpartum depression; we will evaluate the similarity of these DNA methylation patterns related to social connectedness and postpartum depression, as an exploration of mechanisms of social connectedness. Study Design: Using a conceptual framework based upon Individual and Family Self-Management Theory, the overall goal of this two-arm longitudinal randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of this self-management approach in marginalized women with depressive symptoms (n=200), compared to an active control. The first Specific Aim is to evaluate effects by group on depressive symptom severity, anxiety, and perceived stress over time. The second Specific Aim is to understand the role of social connectedness as a moderator of the effects of group assignment on depressive symptoms. The third Specific Aim is to identify genome-wide DNA methylation patterns associated with levels of perceived social connectedness. Potential Impact: The successful completion of our aims will provide important insights into social connectedness as a mechanism to decrease depressive symptoms in a largely understudied, historically marginalized population of women. Further, if proven efficacious, “Mindful Moms” may be a low-cost, sustainable, and translatable option for intervention in perinatal depressive symptoms.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Nursing Research	000	5	1/13/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $488,508 )
2025	2025	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Nursing Research	000	5	4/22/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$488,508
														Subtotal = $488,508

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $487,167 )
2024	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Nursing Research	001	4	5/2/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$48,716
2024	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Nursing Research	000	4	2/23/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$438,451
														Subtotal = $487,167

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $477,852 )
2023	2023	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Nursing Research	000	3	2/1/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$477,852
														Subtotal = $477,852

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $474,747 )
2022	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Nursing Research	000	2	2/24/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$427,271
2022	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Nursing Research	001	2	4/25/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$47,476
														Subtotal = $474,747

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $462,221 )
2021	2021	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Nursing Research	000	1	5/5/2021	NEW	$462,221
														Subtotal = $462,221

Grand Total All Awards = $2,390,495

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Biobehavioral perspectives on social connectedness and the âMindful Momsâ intervention for marginalized pregnant women with depression

Award Number: R01NR020220

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/06/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

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Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

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Award Information

Biobehavioral perspectives on social connectedness and the âMindful Momsâ intervention for marginalized pregnant women with depression

Award Number: R01NR020220

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/06/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer

Biobehavioral perspectives on social connectedness and the âMindful Momsâ intervention for marginalized pregnant women with depression