The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a mindfulness-based web-based stress reduction program applied to primigravidas on perceived stress level in pregnancy, birth self-efficacy and prenatal attachment.
Pregnancy is a process in which physical and hormonal changes occur in the female body. During this period, women experience mood swings due to changes in hormonal and social roles. These changes may predispose some women to mental health problems. Due to physiological and psychological changes during pregnancy, pregnant women may experience some problems such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, stress and depression . It is important to show pregnant women that these are normal experiences and to adopt an accepting attitude towards these experiences. Perceived stress during pregnancy can cause many negative effects on maternal and fetal health. Among the causes of perceived stress are being diagnosed with a risky pregnancy, the presence of danger symptoms during pregnancy, the occurrence of adverse conditions during pregnancy and uncertainties about the pregnancy process. Birth self-efficacy is defined as the level of assurance that a mother can give birth by using her abilities successfully. Birth self-efficacy is a motivating factor for the mother to cope with childbirth. High self-efficacy can reduce fear of childbirth and lead to better birth outcomes. Prenatal attachment is defined as the expectant mother's attachment to the fetus through her behavior during pregnancy, establishing a close relationship and interacting with it. Prenatal attachment is an important component of the concept of fetal protection with the mother's attitudes of recognizing, being with and protecting her baby. The bond between mother and fetus has a great impact on the social and emotional development of the baby. A significant part of the attachment between mother and fetus begins during pregnancy and increases within a month after birth. Supportive interventions, when necessary, to reduce perceived stress in pregnant women are critical for the protection of women's overall health. One of the non-pharmacological interventions is a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. Due to the success of standardized mindfulness-based interventions, mindfulness-based interventions have rapidly spread in western psychology research and practice. Abdolalipour et al. In a systematic review and meta-analysis of ten studies in 2023, Abdolalipour et al. reported that mindfulness practice reduced fear of childbirth.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
90
In the study, primigravidas will receive 8-module (8-week-long) trainings, each lasting approximately 45 minutes, 3 days a week.
Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale (PSAS)
The initial scale consisting of 40 items was revised as 36 items as a result of the validity and reliability study conducted in Taiwan. The scale consists of seven (7) sub-dimensions and is 5-point Likert type. Each item is evaluated as (absolutely no (0), mild (1), moderate (2), severe (3), very severe (4)). The lowest score that can be obtained from the scale is 0 and the highest score is 144.
Time frame: Two months
Self-Efficacy Scale for Normal Childbirth
There are 9 items in the scale. For each item in the scale, scores from 0 to 10 are given and scored as 0 points = no confidence at all and 10 points = very confident. The lowest score that can be obtained from the Self-Efficacy Scale for Normal Birth is 0, while the highest score that can be obtained is 90. As the scores obtained from the self-efficacy scale increase, the degree of self-efficacy also increases.
Time frame: Two months
Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI)
The inventory consists of 21 items and is four-point Likert type. The items of the inventory are scored between 1 and 4 points as 1-Never, 2-Sometimes, 3-Frequently, 4-Always. A minimum of 21 and a maximum of 84 points can be obtained from the inventory. An increase in the score obtained from the inventory indicates an increase in the level of attachment.
Time frame: Two months
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