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Description
Postpartum mental health challenges can negatively impact daily functioning, routines, and overall well-being during the transition to motherhood. This capstone project aimed to develop and implement an occupational therapy–informed educational toolkit to support emotional well-being, coping, and occupational engagement among new mothers. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a needs assessment with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and survey data, as well as post-program evaluations to assess confidence, coping, and participation.
Interventions included a six-week asynchronous email-based program consisting of educational modules, infographics, and practical strategies targeting emotional awareness, stress management, routine development, sleep, nutrition, and access to community resources. Stakeholder input from healthcare providers helped guide development and ensure clinical relevance. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) framework supported the project by addressing volition, habituation, performance capacity, and environmental factors influencing maternal health.
Findings indicated decreased EPDS scores and increased participant confidence in managing stress, mood, and daily responsibilities. Participants reported the toolkit to be practical, validating, and easy to integrate into daily life, with high engagement across modules. This project highlights the role of occupational therapy in supporting maternal mental health through accessible, evidence-based, and client-centered interventions. Future directions include expanding access to the toolkit, increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, and evaluating long-term outcomes.
Publication Date
Spring 4-22-2026
Publisher
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Keywords
Postpartum mental health, Maternal mental health, Occupational therapy, Educational toolkit, Postpartum depression, Routine development, Coping strategies, Mother-infant bonding, Telehealth, Asynchronous learning, Community resources, Client-centered care, Model of human occupation, Program evaluation, Health promotion
Medical Subject Headings
Postpartum mental health, Maternal mental health, Occupational therapy, Educational toolkit, Postpartum depression, Routine development, Coping strategies, Mother-infant bonding, Telehealth, Asynchronous learning, Community resources, Client-centered care, Model of human occupation, Program evaluation, Health promotion
Disciplines
Community Health | Interprofessional Education | Occupational Therapy | Other Mental and Social Health | Women's Health
Recommended Citation
Paniccia, S. R., Tremaine, W., & Nelson, C. (2026, April 22). Empowering New Mothers: An Educational Toolkit to Support Postpartum Mental Health. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2026/11
Included in
Community Health Commons, Interprofessional Education Commons, Occupational Therapy Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Women's Health Commons
Comments
Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences April 22, 2026.