Effect of cognitive behavioral therapy-based counseling on perceived stress in pregnant women with history of primary infertility: a controlled randomized clinical trial

BMC Psychiatry

Khalil Esmaeilpour¹  Mojgan Mirghafourvand²  Farideh Golshani³  Shirin Hasanpour⁴ 

[1] Faculty of Education and Psychology, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran;Midwifery Department, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran;Student Research Committee Department of Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran;Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran;

关键词: Cognitive behavioral counseling;    Perceived stress;    Depressions;    Anxiety;    Quality of life;    Primary infertility;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12888-021-03283-2

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundGiven the prevalence of infertility and consequences of stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy and after childbirth, this study aimed to determine the effect of group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based counseling on perceived stress (primary outcome), anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) of pregnant women with a history of primary infertility.MethodThis controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted on 56 pregnant women with a history of primary infertility referred to Infertility Clinic of Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital of Tabriz. The participants were divided into the intervention (n = 28) and control (n = 28) groups using block randomization. The intervention group received group CBT-based counseling after the 14th week of the pregnancy: six in-person sessions and two telephone sessions once per week. The control group received routine care. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Van den Bergh’s Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ), and Quality of Life in Pregnancy (Gravidarum) (QOL-GRAV) were completed through interviews before and 4 weeks after the intervention by the researcher.ResultsThere was not any between-group difference in socio-demographic characteristics, except the gestational age and husband educational level (p > 0.05). Both of these variables were adjusted in ANCOVA. After the intervention, the mean scores of perceived stress (mean difference: − 7.3; confidence interval: 95%, from − 0.9 to − 5.6; p < 0.001) and anxiety (mean difference:-14.7; confidence interval: 95%. from − 20.6 to - 8.8; p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the intervention group. The mean depression score in the intervention group was lower than the control; however, this between-group difference was not significant (mean difference: − 1.95; confidence interval: 95% from − 3.9 to 0.2; p = 0.052). The mean score of quality of life in pregnancy was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control (mean difference: − 5.4; confidence interval: 95% from 3.4 to 7.4; p < 0.001).ConclusionCBT counseling can affect the perceived stress, anxiety, and quality of life of pregnant women with a history of primary infertility. As a result, this counseling approach is recommended along with other counseling approaches to improve the mental health of pregnant women with a history of infertility.Trial registrationIRCT Registration Number: IRCT20111219008459N12, registered on 10/11/ 2018.

【 授权许可】

CC BY