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The peak onset of psychological disorders occurs during adolescence, with depression and anxiety among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Becoming a parent during adolescence presents additional mental health risks and parental mental health problems which can affect their children's long-term emotional, behavioural, and cognitive outcomes. The AADAPT project aims to: i) improve mood in adolescent parents by reducing depression and feelings of loneliness; ii) improve interactions between adolescent parents and their children; iii) enhance their children’s development.

The peak onset of psychological disorders occurs during adolescence, with depression and anxiety among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Becoming a parent during adolescence presents additional mental health risks and parental mental health problems which can affect their children's long-term emotional, behavioural, and cognitive outcomes.

 The AADAPT project will develop and deliver a new digital support package for both adolescent mothers and fathers aged 16-24 years old supported by peer mentors. Behavioural Activation (BA) will be used to treat low mood which has been shown to be successful when delivered online and in the postnatal period. Parents will also receive information on the principles of early infant learning and attention, especially contingent responsiveness, to help depressed parents consider ways to increase opportunities for positive interactions with their infant. Thus the projects targets both depression and parenting and aims to:

i) improve mood in adolescent parents by reducing depression and feelings of loneliness

ii) improve interactions between adolescent parents and their children

iii) enhance their children’s development

 

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