A spiritual intervention to reduce stress, anxiety and depression in pregnant women: Randomized controlled trial. Issue 12 (17th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanaeinasab, Hormoz; Saffari, Mohsen; Sheykh-Oliya, Zarrindokht; Khalaji, Kazem; Laluie, Afsaneh; Al Zaben, Faten; Koenig, Harold G.
• Is Part Of: Health care for women international. Volume 42:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: 1340
• Page End: 1357
• Publication Date: 2021-12-17
• Subjects: Women -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Women's health services -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female; Neonatology; Obstetrics; Women -- psychology; Femmes -- Santé et hygiène -- Périodiques; Femmes -- Santé, Services de -- Périodiques; 613.0424405
• DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2020.1836643
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-9332

Abstract

Abstract: We assessed the efficacy of a spiritually-integrated cognitive-behavioral educational group intervention for reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure during pregnancy and improving delivery outcomes. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 84 pregnant women randomly assigned to either the intervention or a control group. Demographic information was collected at baseline, along with measures of religiosity, stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure. Our intervention consisted of four 90-minute group sessions over 8 weeks that utilized a spiritually-integrated cognitive-behavioral approach to help participants cope with the stress of pregnancy. Stress, anxiety and depression scores in the intervention group decreased significantly by 41%, 28%, and 41%, respectively, from baseline to 3-month follow-up. There were also significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between groups at the 3-month follow-up, favoring the intervention group. Between-group differences were also significant for these outcomes. Applying such spiritually-integrated intervention may help to improve the mental and physical health of young, healthy nulliparous pregnant women.