The Effect of Solution-Focused Group Counseling on Pregnancy Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy anxiety is associated with undesirable fetal, maternal, and neonatal outcomes. Women who do not attend childbirth preparation classes are more susceptible to this complication. Solution-focused counseling has been suggested to manage anxiety in these women.Aim: This study was conducted with aim to determine the effect of solution-focused group counseling on the pregnancy anxiety of women who do not attend childbirth preparation classes.Method: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 pregnant women with anxiety who were randomly assigned to either intervention or control groups. These women were selected from health and medical care centers affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak Iran. Solution-focused counseling was implemented in the intervention group for five 90-minute sessions once a week. The tools used included a demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 23) and descriptive statistics, independent t-test, analysis of covariance, paired t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. p<0.05 was considered significant.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the mean total scores of pregnancy anxiety and its subscales before the intervention (p≥0.05). After the intervention, the mean total score of pregnancy anxiety was significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.001). This reduction occurred in both nulliparous and multiparous participants (p<0.001).Implications for Practice: Solution-focused group counseling can mitigate pregnancy anxiety regardless of having a history of childbirth. Hence, solution-focused group counseling can be employed to deal with pregnancy anxiety.