The impact of antenatal psychological group interventions on psychological well-being: A systematic review of the qualitative and quantitative evidence

Wadephul, Franziska; Jones, Catriona; Jomeen, Julie

Abstract

Depression, anxiety and stress in the perinatal period can have serious, long-term consequences for women, their babies and their families. Over the last two decades, an increasing number of group interventions with a psychological approach have been developed to improve the psychological well-being of pregnant women. This systematic review examines interventions targeting women with elevated symptoms of, or at risk of developing, perinatal mental health problems, with the aim of understanding the successful and unsuccessful features of these interventions. We systematically searched online databases to retrieve qualitative and quantitative studies on psychological antenatal group interventions. A total number of 19 papers describing 15 studies were identified; these included interventions based on cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy and mindfulness. Quantitative findings suggested beneficial effects in some studies, particularly for women with high baseline symptoms. However, overall there is insufficient quantitative evidence to make a general recommendation for antenatal group interventions. Qualitative findings suggest that women and their partners experience these interventions positively in terms of psychological wellbeing and providing reassurance of their ‘normality’. This review suggests that there are some benefits to attending group interventions, but further research is required to fully understand their successful and unsuccessful features.

Citation

Wadephul, F., Jones, C., & Jomeen, J. (2016). The impact of antenatal psychological group interventions on psychological well-being: A systematic review of the qualitative and quantitative evidence. Healthcare, 4(2), 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare4020032

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: May 27, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 8, 2016
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jun 13, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 13, 2016
• Journal: Healthcare (Switzerland)
• Electronic ISSN: 2227-9032
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 32
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare4020032
• Keywords: Perinatal mental health, Antenatal intervention, Antenatal depression, Postnatal depression, Antenatal anxiety, Antenatal stress, Systematic review
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/439518
• Publisher URL: http://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/4/2/32
• Additional Information: Copy of article first published in: Healthcare, 2016, v.4, issue 32