Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of group supportive counseling (SC) on pregnancy-specific stress, general stress, and healthy behavior of pregnant women.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 80 pregnant women in two groups; SC for six sessions, once a week for two hours (n = 40), and antenatal usual care (AUC) (n = 40). All Participants completed questionnaires measuring pregnancy-specific stress, state anxiety, prenatal health behaviors, perceived stress, and provided a saliva sample for measurement of cortisol at pre-intervention and 6-week post-intervention.
Results: The post-intervention results indicated that the outcome scores decreased more significantly in group SC than in the AUC for total NuPDQ, for state-anxiety, for PSS-14, and for unhealthy behaviors with a large effect size. Also, healthy behaviors were promoted more significantly in SC group than in AUC. However, salivary cortisol levels did not differ between group SC and AUC groups.
Conclusion: Group supportive counselling can promote pregnancy stress and healthy behaviors.
Practice implications: Addition of supportive counseling to prenatal usual care may be suggested for pregnant women with any gestational age who seek methods for improving pregnancy stress and healthy behaviors.
Keywords: Supportive; anxiety; counselling; healthy behaviors; pregnancy-specific stress; stress.
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