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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Efficacy of an Automated Conversational Agent on Postpartum Mental Health: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

Postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders are common and underdiagnosed. Many barriers exist to accessing perinatal mental health resources including limited availability and cost. Automated conversational agents (chatbots) can deliver cognitive-behavioral-therapy content through message-based conversations and have been found to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in select populations.