Effects of a maternal psychosocial intervention on hair derived biomarkers of HPA axis function in mothers and children in rural Pakistan

•Psychosocial interventions may improve HPA axis regulation, but few studies have investigated this in low-income settings.•This study evaluates a perinatal intervention targeted at depressed mothers in rural Pakistan.•The intervention led to a significant reduction in cortisol and cortisone levels in mothers, as well as an increase in DHEA.•In infants, the intervention led to an increase in DHEA, but no differences in cortisol and cortisone.•The intervention showed effects on both mother and infant HPA axis activity, suggesting intergenerational benefits.