The effect of six-week transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural group therapy on anxiety and depressive symptoms among pregnant women : a pilot study

• Main Author: Kristrún Ólöf Sigurðardóttir 1986-
• Other Authors: Háskólinn í Reykjavík
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Sálfræði; Meistaraprófsritgerðir; Kvíði; Meðganga; Hugræn atferlismeðferð; Psychology; Anxiety; Pregnancy; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/28711

Background: Research has shown that depression and/or anxiety does not only affect the pregnant mother but can have adverse effects on the development of the unborn child in utero and on its development later in life. It is therefore important to find an effective intervention to treat women during pregnancy. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the six-week Icelandic transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural group therapy (TCBGT) protocol after adapting it to the special needs of pregnant women by including significant perinatal content. Method: Women receiving prenatal services in Primary Health Care in Iceland were offered to participate in the program. A total of 44 pregnant women participated in the treatment. Mean age was 27 years (SD=4.48; range 18-37 years). The main outcome included anxiety (GAD-7) and depressive (EPDS) symptoms measured at the beginning of each session. Clinically significant change was assessed as well, using the reliable change index. Results: A repeated measure, intention-to-treat-ANOVA, showed a significant effect of time on depressive (p<.05) and anxiety symptoms (p<.05). Effect sizes were medium for depression and anxiety. Clinically significant change in depressive symptoms was reached by 15 (50%) women and by eight (28.7%) women for anxiety. Conclusion: This study indicates that an adapted version of TCBGT might be a feasible choice for treating depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy. Keywords: Anxiety, depression, symptoms, pregnancy, antenatal, CBT, Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, primary care, effective, GAD-7, EPDS