Author/Authors :
Montazeri, Maryam Department of Midwifery - School of Nursing and Midwifery - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz , Esmaeilpour, Khalil Faculty of Education and Psychology - University of Tabriz, Tabriz , Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, Sakineh Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz , Golizadeh, Sevda Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz , Mirghafourvand, Mojgan Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz
Abstract :
Background: As one of the most enjoyable life experiences, pregnancy may be accompanied by many physiological and psychological
changes that make women susceptible to developing mental disorders such as anxiety. Non-pharmacological methods such as
writing therapy are among the ways to deal with anxiety.
Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of writing therapy on anxiety in women during pregnancy.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 pregnant women with a gestational age between 28 - 31 weeks. The
participants were assigned to an intervention group and a control group using a randomized block design. The intervention group
received three in-person writing therapy-based counseling sessions and two telephone calls between the sessions, while the control
group received routine pregnancy care. The Beck anxiety inventory was completed before and six weeks after the intervention.
Independent t-test and ANCOVA were used for data analysis.
Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of socio-demographic variables and baseline anxiety
scores. Based on ANCOVA with baseline score adjustment, the mean score of anxiety was significantly lower in the intervention
group than in the control group after the intervention (adjusted mean difference = -6.8; 95%CI = -4.5 to -9.1; P < 0.001).
Conclusions: According to the results, writing therapy can reduce anxiety in pregnant women; however, further studies are needed
before a definitive conclusion.
