Qualitative evaluation of interpersonal psychotherapy for childbearing couples

Aim: To explore Chinese parents’ perceptions of a couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy during the perinatal period.

Methods: A qualitative evaluation was conducted with 44 first-time Chinese parents who had participated in a couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy, using semi-structured interviews at postpartum. The intervention consisted of three antenatal sessions and two telephone follow-up sessions at postpartum. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to explore parents’ perceptions of participating in the couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy and factors influencing the effectiveness of the intervention. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results: The results revealed that Chinese parents perceived the couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy to be helpful in facilitating parental role taking, enhancing emotional control, improving relationships with partners and other family members, and increasing sense of support. The effectiveness of intervention was facilitated by the involvement of midwives to deliver the intervention, the opportunities for the childbearing couples to learn parenting skills, and the flexibility and accessibility of using telephone follow-up sessions to facilitate engagement of couples. Barriers to participation for the parents included practical issues, such as competing demands on time with child care and full-time work.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy in facilitating couples’ adaptation during the transition to new parenthood. The results of this study provide direction for the development of cultural competent care to promote perinatal health.