Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal
Volume 15, Issue 4 (10-2025)
Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2025, 15(4): 6-18 |
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Ethics code: IR.ZUMS.REC.1396.334
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Azadi Z, Kharghani R, Emamgholi khooshehchin T, Ebrahimi L. The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Counseling on Stress and Quality of Life of Pregnant Women with a History of Spontaneous Abortion: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2025; 15 (4) :6-18
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-980-en.html
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-980-en.html
Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran , khoosheh@zums.ac.ir
Abstract: (528 Views)
Background: Spontaneous abortion is a physically and psychologically distressing event, often necessitating psychological support in subsequent pregnancies to mitigate adverse mental health outcomes.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) counseling in reducing stress and improving the quality of life among pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion.
Methods: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted with 72 pregnant women at 6–10 weeks of gestation, all of whom had a prior spontaneous abortion and exhibited stress symptoms. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=36) receiving 10 individual CBT sessions or a control group (n=36) receiving routine prenatal care. Stress and quality of life were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up. Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Post-intervention, the CBT group showed a significant reduction in stress levels compared to controls (from 28.3 to 19.9 post-intervention and 19.7 at follow-up; p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in psychological, social, environmental, and general health domains of quality of life (e.g., overall QoL increased from 60.4 to 70.8; p < 0.001). These benefits were largely maintained at the two-month follow-up, though no significant change occurred in the physical domain.
Conclusion: Individual CBT counseling is an effective intervention for reducing stress and enhancing quality of life in pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion, supporting its integration into prenatal mental health care for this vulnerable group.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) counseling in reducing stress and improving the quality of life among pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion.
Methods: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted with 72 pregnant women at 6–10 weeks of gestation, all of whom had a prior spontaneous abortion and exhibited stress symptoms. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=36) receiving 10 individual CBT sessions or a control group (n=36) receiving routine prenatal care. Stress and quality of life were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up. Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Post-intervention, the CBT group showed a significant reduction in stress levels compared to controls (from 28.3 to 19.9 post-intervention and 19.7 at follow-up; p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in psychological, social, environmental, and general health domains of quality of life (e.g., overall QoL increased from 60.4 to 70.8; p < 0.001). These benefits were largely maintained at the two-month follow-up, though no significant change occurred in the physical domain.
Conclusion: Individual CBT counseling is an effective intervention for reducing stress and enhancing quality of life in pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion, supporting its integration into prenatal mental health care for this vulnerable group.
Keywords: Individual Counseling, Cognitive-Behavioral Approach, Stress, Quality of Life, Spontaneous Abortion
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Knowledge Translation Statement
Audience: Nursing managers and hospital administrators
Individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly reduces stress and improves psychological, social, and environmental quality of life in pregnant women with a prior miscarriage, with effects sustained for at least two months. Nursing managers should facilitate referral pathways to trained CBT counselors during early prenatal visits (6–10 weeks) and allocate time for 10 structured sessions. Psychological support should complement standard obstetric care.
Type of Study: Orginal research |
Subject:
Midwifery
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