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Why we’re distraught: a pre and post quasi-experimental approach and interventional strategy for tackling psychological distress among perinatal women

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Abstract

This study assessed the facets of mindfulness on psychological distress among perinatal women, following a quantitative quasi-experimental design, and using pre and post-test survey data. A total of 369 pregnant women were enlisted through simple random and purposive sampling methods for the survey and a subset sample of 20 women selected for the intervention. While 266 participants were nulliparous, 103 were multiparous with age range of 16–45 and mean age (SD of 5.15) = 29.60. Three standardised measuring instruments and one intervention module were utilised for data collection. The study passed through four phases and was guided by three hypotheses which were tested using regressions and matched t-test, with results showing a 22.8% prevalence of psychological distress. The primo result indicated that facets of mindfulness reported an inverse significant prediction of psychological distress, particularly for observe and non-react facets of mindfulness which modeled negative relationships on psychological distress (β = -.01; t = -.17; p = .908; β = -.19; t = -2.71; p < .001), respectively. However, the introduction of mindfulness-based skills reduced psychological distress and increased mindfulness among pregnant women [t (9) = 3.89, p < 0.05]. In a follow-up one-month postnatal study, further decrease of distress was recorded [t (5) = 3.63, p < 0.05]. It was concluded that regular screening of antenatal women will lead to early detection of mental health problems like psychological distress and thus aid in reducing associated risks and harms. The mindfulness skills employed are evidence-based and problem-solving and therefore their application in handling anticipated and/or future cases for a healthy perinatal experience and wellbeing is strongly advocated.

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Data availability

All data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Items include the raw data of the study obtained from the fieldwork and stored in IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Software file.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Topfaith University, Mkpatak, 1875, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

    David O. Iloma

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Uyo, PMB 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

    Gboyega E. Abikoye

  3. Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, PMB 1010, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

    Macpherson Uchenna Nnam

  4. Department of Psychology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, PMB 1010, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

    Chisom E. Ogbonnaya

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Ethical clearance from the Government of Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health was obtained with reference number MH/PRS/99/Vol.V/736. While approval was received from St. Luke’s Hospital, a Letter of Introduction with reference number UU/FSS/PSY/26/Vol. II/73 was obtained from the Head of Department of Psychology, University of Uyo and further endorsed by the Director of Health Services, Health Centre, University of Uyo. Finally, each participants granted their oral and written (participants’ consent letter formed the first page of the questionnaires) informed consent prior to the commencement of this research.

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Perinatal women reported a significant level of distress in the course of antenatal visits. This slides a wedge for hospitals attending to pregnant women and other related institutions on the need to adopt monthly mental health screening of this population. Doing this will result in early detection and expeditious adoption of the modified mindfulness skills employed in this study while handling mental health issues related to psychological distress for a healthy perinatal experience. The study invariably underscored the importance of postnatal follow-up and robust awareness campaigns in the health sector. It further advances the inevitability of and imperative for testing and specialised mindfulness therapy to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality, postpartum depression and control destructive post-delivery behaviours occasionally exhibited among nursing mothers against their infants and the negative impact it may have on their families and society.

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Iloma, D.O., Abikoye, G.E., Nnam, M.U. et al. Why we’re distraught: a pre and post quasi-experimental approach and interventional strategy for tackling psychological distress among perinatal women. Curr Psychol 43, 14695–14711 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05449-5

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