A framework for developing spouse-inclusive digital applications in preventing perinatal depression and anxiety.

The framework was not tested in patients or spouses; no app was used, so there are no outcome data on depression or anxiety. Women and spouses were not interviewed as couples, so the paper cannot show how a couple would use a joint app. The sample was small and mostly antenatal, because most postpartum women were followed elsewhere; it says little about postpartum couples. Participants were Malaysian adults who could speak Malay or English, so transferability to other settings is not shown. Expert ratings show relevance, not effectiveness.

The work was funded by a Collaborative Research Initiative Grant from International Islamic University Malaysia and a Fundamental Research Grant from the Ministry of Education Malaysia. The authors declared no competing financial interests or personal relationships.

Do not read this as evidence that a spouse-inclusive digital app prevents perinatal depression or anxiety. The paper only developed and expert-rated a framework; the app was not tested, and the 0.88 rating means experts judged the proposed content relevant.