Women's Mental Health Program
Research Projects
The Women’s Mental Health Program was developed out of a research focus on improving understanding of Mood Disorders in women throughout the lifespan. Specific foci include improving detection and treatment of untreated depression and anxiety in childbearing aged women in primary care, improving access to effective treatments for perinatal depression/anxiety, understanding the impact of treated vs. un-treated depression and anxiety on women and their children, and understanding the neurobiological and psychological interplay between mothers and their children. Our interdisciplinary research team is comprised of faculty, trainees, and staff from Psychiatry, Psychology, Obstetrics / Gynecology, Social Work, Pediatrics, and Public Health. Our improved understanding of mental health issues is not possible without the help and collaboration of women and their families who choose to participate in this research, for which we are grateful. Listed below are different research projects that you may be interested in.
ECHO-Enhancing Care and Health Outcomes for Perinatal Women
This study focuses on improving therapy for pregnant and postpartum women who are experiencing stress, distress, and depression. You may be eligible if you are age 18 or older, pregnant, experiencing stress, and are not currently receiving mental health care. We are looking for women receiving pregnancy care at one of the University of Michigan clinics (East Ann Arbor, Briarwood, or Ypsilanti Family Practice) or at one of the Flint Hamilton Community Health Networks clinics (Northpointe, Main, or Burton). Eligible women may participate in several ways, including participating in interviews (with compensation up to $80) and 8-12 sessions of therapy at no cost to you.
Principal Investigator: Heather Flynn, Ph.D.
Co-Investigators: Heather O’Mahen, Ph.D and Joe Himle Ph.D
IRB#: HUM00009949If you are interested in participating or learning more about this research project please contact us at (734) 615-3579 or toll free (888) 303-2766.
Circle of Security
Circle of Security examines whether and how a supportive intervention is helpful to mothers of young children. The Circle of Security is a 12-session educational group that aims to help parents recognize, understand, and respond to their young children’s emotional needs, expression and experiences. This study is appropriate for mothers who would like to participate in a supportive psycho-educational group with other mothers of young children and to learn more about strategies for effective, supportive parenting to enhance early child development. You may be eligible if you are at 18 years old or older, have a least one child between the ages of 18 and 47 months, have experienced perinatal depression or anxiety and are English-speaking.
Principal Investigator: Maria Muzik, M.D.,
Co-Investigators: Katherine Rosenblum, Ph.D. and Sheila Marcus, MD
IRB#: HUM00016391If you are interested in participating or learning more about this research project please contact us at (734) 232-0205.
Maternal Anxiety during the Childbearing Years (MACY)
Maternal Anxiety during the Childbearing Years (MACY) is a longitudinal cohort study investigating the parenting experiences of new mothers and their infants’ development across the first 2 years of life. The first year of parenthood often provides both joys and challenges, and it is not uncommon for mothers to feel more sadness or stress during this time. We are particularly interested in learning about the transition to motherhood for women who themselves have had challenging or traumatic childhood experiences. We want to learn from new mothers how they cope with childhood trauma experiences when entering motherhood, as well as how trauma, stress, and coping with trauma may affect being a parent. Part of the MACY study involves collecting genetic (DNA) from saliva samples from women and their infants in order to identify how genes affect the impact of stress on the body. Participation in the MACY study involves phone contact, home visits, and a laboratory visit. Phone interviews conducted at 4-, 12-, 15-, and 18-months postpartum involve questions about infant behavior, mothers’ stress and experiences of trauma, and thoughts and feelings about parenting. Two home visits are conducted at 6-months postpartum; these involve mother-infant play interactions and interviews about their infants as well as about mothers’ own childhood experiences. Mothers and toddlers are invited to our laboratory at 15-months postpartum for a visit involving additional interviews and play tasks. Mothers are reimbursed for their participation with up to $120. You may be eligible if you are 18 years or older, had childhood trauma experience, and have are in early postpartum (less than 4 months).
Principal Investigator: Maria Muzik, M.D., M.S.
IRB#: HUM00004126If you are interested in participating or learning more about this research project please contact us at (734) 232-0205.
Corner Health Center “Mom Power” Group Demonstration Project (Mom Power)
Mom Power is a parenting and attachment skills group for young mothers and their infants and young toddlers receiving Medicaid who are existing patients at The Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Mothers participate in an 10-week educational curriculum as part of the “Mom Power” Group conducted at The Corner Health Center or Ypsilanti Health Center. The group teaches skills to enable mothers from a variety of backgrounds and skill levels to safely cope with their current stressful life circumstances and mental health symptoms, all of which may pose risk to their parenting and child’s safety. Each week has a different focus related to parenting and the mother’s emotional needs. Topics include child development, understanding how past traumatic stress affects parenting skills and mother/child bonding, self-care skills (including breathing and relaxation techniques and medications), and how to connect and play with children. At each session the child receives an age-appropriate toy or book that moms are encouraged to use as a way to engage with their child, and mothers are reimbursed for their travel. Moms receive a certificate at the end of the group proclaiming them “powerful moms’.
Principal Investigator: Maria Muzik, M.D., M.S.
Co-Investigator: Sheila Marcus, M.D. and Katherine Rosenblum, Ph.D
IRB#: HUM00018944If you are interested in participating or learning more about this research project please contact us at (734) 232-0205.
MOMS: Mothers, Omega-3 & Mental health Study
Does EPA or DHA Prevent Depressive Symptoms in Pregnancy and Postpartum?
This study is designed to test whether an alternative medicine treatment, fish oil, will prevent depressive symptoms in pregnant & postpartum women who have been found to be at risk for depression. You may be eligible if you are at least 18 years old, less than 20 weeks pregnant, receiving prenatal care and planning to deliver at the University of Michigan, and are at risk for depression (based on a past history of depression or postpartum depression or current depression). This study involves 4 study visits and compensation is $100.
Principal Investigator: Ellen Mozurkewich, MD
Co-Investigators: Sheila Marcus, MD, Anjel Vahratian, PhD, Delia Vazquez, MD, Zora Djuric, PhD, Deborah Berman, MD, Julie Chilimigras, MPH
IRB#: HUM00004684If you are interested in participating or learning more about this research project please contact us at (734) 615-5391 or toll free (888) 303-2766.
PIMACS/TIP: Perinatal Infant-Mother Attachment and Cortisol study and Treatment in Pregnancy
This study examines mom’s health during pregnancy, communications between moms and babies, children’s social development during the first year of life, and how healthy moms cope with stress. This study is interested in learning whether there is a connection between both positive and negative stress and infant development as well as attachment with mothers. You may be eligible if you are over the age of 21, experiencing stress, and under 28 weeks pregnant. Eligible women may have the opportunity to participate in interviews and a treatment phase involving up to 16 session of therapy at no cost to you.
Principal Investigator: Delia Vazquez, M.D.
Co-Investigator: Heather Flynn, Ph.D., Juan Lopez, M.D., Sheila Marcus, M.D., Susan McDonough, MSW, Ph.D., Niko Kaciroti, Ph.D., Aronold Sameroff, Ph.D., Brenda Volling, Ph.D., Timothy Johnson, M.D., Roseanne Armitage, Ph.D., and Margit Burmeister, Ph.D.
IRB#: 2001-0745If you are interested in participating or learning more about any of these research projects please contact us at (734) 615-3579 or toll free (888) 303-2766.
CWC-Connecting Women with Care
Connecting Women with Care is designed to help pregnant women seek care for stress, distress, and depression. You may be eligible for this study if you are over the age of 18, currently pregnant, experiencing stress, not receiving mental health care, and your Obstetrician is at the Taubman Clinic at the University of Michigan Hospital. Participants may be compensated up to $45 for their time.
Principle Investigator: Heather Flynn, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator: Minden Sexton, Ph.D.
IRB#: 2001-0532If you are interested in participating or learning more about this research project please contact us at (734) 615-3579 or toll free (888) 303-2766.
PPDI - Postpartum Depression and Insomnia Treatment Study
This study is designed to improve sleep in women who are within one year of giving birth, and who are also experiencing distress or depression and trouble sleeping. You may be eligible for the study if you are over the age of 18, have given birth in the last year, and are having difficulty falling or staying asleep, or just not feeling rested after sleep. Participants may be compensated up to $175 for their time, and will receive free treatment for their sleep problems. If you are interested in participating or learning more about this research project, please contact us at (734) 764-2242.
Principal Investigator: Leslie Swanson, Ph.D.
IRB#: HUM00024984
Mindfulness Yoga During Pregnancy
The current study will examine whether and how a supportive intervention, the Mindfulness Yoga during Pregnancy group, is helpful to pregnant women with a history of depression or anxiety. Participants will have the opportunity to join a free prenatal yoga class, which is designed to increase awareness of the body, acceptance of thoughts and feelings, and increase positive feelings while at the same time decreasing feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety, especially as it relates to pregnancy, labor, delivery, and transition into parenting. Exercises are specifically chosen to accommodate and support the woman’s changing body, the growing baby, and the woman’s relationship to both her body and her baby. The group yoga activities are taught specifically for the pregnant body and are modified for any level of yoga experience or stage of pregnancy.
You may be eligible for this study if you are interested in alternative health care, pregnant with your first baby, between 12 and 26 weeks pregnant, over the age of 18, not working overnight shifts, and not taking medication for your mood. Participants may be compensated up to $45 and receive 10 weeks of free yoga classes designed for pregnant women.
Principle Investigator: Maria Muzik, MD
IRB#: HUM00034352