Introduction: Antenatal anxiety and depression occur in approximately 20% of pregnant women with potentially deleterious efects to mother and child. While efective in reducing symptoms, some pregnant women are oten reluctant to take psychotropic medications. We tested the efectiveness of group therapy to provide worry and depression symptom relief.
Methods: Women (N= 38) in 15-28 weeks of gestation were recruited to antenatal Psychotherapy Groups using either interpersonal or mindfulness based therapy. We collected data at three times, upon intake to and at completion of the group and at four weeks postpartum. Descriptive, Chi-square, and GEE analyses were used to compare depression and worry symptoms with a matched control group of pregnant women (N= 68).
Limitations: Small sample size in both groups required a matched control group with no randomization.
Results: Atending group therapy signiicantly reduced worry and depression symptoms over pregnancy into the postpartum compared to women receiving no therapy.
There was no diference in symptom reduction between diferent types of groups atended.
Discussion: Engaging pregnant women in group therapy can signiicantly improve worry and depression symptoms, with lasting efects.