Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Focused on Self-esteem on Fear of Childbirth: A Counseling Approach in Prenatal Care and a Randomized Clinical Trial
Open accessAbstract
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on self-esteem (CBT-S) on fear of childbirth in nulliparous women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 24 nulliparous women willing to cesarean section delivery referred to Milad hospital, Tehran, Iran, between July to August 2015 were enrolled with a convenient sampling method. Participants were assigned into two CBT-S and control groups (24 in each group) using randomized blocks of 4. Seven sessions were performed for the CBT-S group, but the control group received routine prenatal classes. FOC was assessed using Harman’s childbirth attitudes questionnaire. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale was used to assess self-esteem at the beginning of the study. Two weeks after the intervention, both groups filled out the FOC and self-esteem questionnaire. Results: The mean score of fear at the end of the study in the CBT-S and control group was significantly different (P=0.001). Also, self-esteem scores increased after intervention in the CBT-S counseling group (4.77 ± 4.07vs -1.79 ± 2.26; P=0.001). Conclusions: This study confirms the importance of the CBT-S approach focusing on self-esteem in reducing FOC.
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Fear of childbirth is a common problem during pregnancy.
“Fear of childbirth(FOC) is a common problem during pregnancy [1].”
From Counseling by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach on Fear of Childbirth: A Randomized Clinical Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [1]
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- Authors
- Poorjandaghi, M., Vakilian, K., Khorsandi, M., & Abdi, M.
- Affiliations
- Arak University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Arak University (IR)
- Venue
- International Journal of Women's Health and Reproduction Sciences
- Published
- 2020-05-17
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 31-37
- ISSN
- 2330-4456 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4214860357
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2
- FWCI
- 0.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- International Journal of Women s Health and Reproduction Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Arak University of Medical Sciences
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- fear of childbirth, cognitive behavioral therapy, self-esteem, nulliparous women, cesarean section, prenatal care, attitudes toward childbirth, psychological intervention
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