A Group Parenting Intervention for Depressed Fathers (LTP + Dads): A Feasibility Study from Pakistan

Background: Globally, paternal depression is a neglected and under-researched area.

Aims: To feasibility test Learning Through Play Plus Dads (LTP+ Dads), a group parenting psychoeducation program adapted for depressed Pakistani fathers of children under 3 years of age.

Methods: Fathers with depression were recruited in Karachi, Pakistan, for a pre-post feasibility study. Ten sessions of group LTP+ Dads were offered over three months. Clinical assessments were administered at baseline, three (end of intervention), and six (follow-up) months and included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Brief Disability Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Euro-Qol-5 Dimensions, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Parenting Stress Index, and Knowledge, Attitude and Practices questionnaire.

Results: Of the 78 fathers approached, 34 consented to screening and 18 were eligible to participate. Participants had a mean age of 33 years, with a mean of 3.61 children. Most were unemployed and were from low-income households with low education backgrounds. The intervention was feasible and acceptable based on a recruitment rate of 100% of eligible participants and a 100% attendance rate for five of the 10 sessions. Fathers showed, on average, a reduction in depressive symptoms, an increase in most areas of knowledge, and positive attitudes about child development. Perceived social support, self-esteem, and functioning scores also increased.

Conclusions: A low-cost, culturally adapted group intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable. Changes in depression, parenting-related, and other outcomes are promising and inform a future larger trial.

Trial registration: The trial was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov on 9 December 2020 (identifier: NCT04660253).