Brief Virtual Mindfulness-based Group Intervention With Social Support for Perinatal Individuals

This is a feasibility and acceptability study for 4- week virtual mindfulness-based intervention with social support for perinatal individuals at higher risk for substance use. This study builds on the longitudinal collection of questionnaire data from pregnant and postpartum people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each closed virtual support group will meet weekly for 4 weeks using a video conference platform. Groups will be focused on grounding, thinking patterns, self-compassion and self-care. This approach will foster increase awareness of wellbeing as well as social support between group participants. Primary outcomes include the feasibility and acceptability of this group-based intervention for perinatal individuals.

The virtual mindfulness-based intervention with social support groups will meet once a week for 4 weeks, each session will be 60 minutes. Each group will have 3-8 participants. The groups will be closed, meaning the same group of participants meet with the same instructor (unless a backup instructor is needed due to unavoidable reasons). Groups will be completed using the video conferencing application.

Virtual administration of the social support components of an adapted 4-week Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Postpartum Depression (MBCT-PD) intervention. Each session includes a review of assigned online mindfulness practice and barriers to practice, other homework if also assigned, psychoeducation, and mindfulness practices relevant to the session's theme.

Acceptability will be assessed using the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaires (CSQ-8). Scores range from 8-32 with higher scores indicating higher satisfaction.

Pregnancy-specific stress will be measured using and the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ). Scores range from 0 to 46 with higher scores indicating higher distress.

Overall psychological distress will be measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression - Revised (CESD-R). Scores range from 0 to 60 with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptomatology.

Inclusion Criteria: Currently pregnant Have a single gestation pregnancy Fluently speak English A history of significant substance use or currently in treatment for a substance use disorder. Exclusion Criteria: Inability to provide consent

De-identified individual participant data that underlie the results of this study will be shared with proper approval.

The Principal Investigator (PI) will review requests for individual participant data (IPD). IPD will be provided with appropriate Institutional Review Board approval or determination. IPD may be provided to investigators associated with a university or reputable research institution with an associated Institutional Review Board (IRB). De-identified IPD will be provided through a secure sharing mechanism.