Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Counseling Therapy on Pregnancy Anxiety and Fear of Childbirth: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background & Aim: Fear of childbirth and pregnancy anxiety may affect the desire for normal delivery. No study has investigated the effectiveness of solution-focused counseling on either pregnancy anxiety or all factors comprising fear of childbirth. We aimed to investigate the effects of solution-focused counseling in reducing pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth.Methods and materials: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 121 nulliparous women in 2019. Participants with moderate to severe fear of childbirth were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in five solution-focused counseling sessions. Before and after the intervention, women filled the anxiety scale for pregnancy (ASP) and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ). Data were analysed using t-test, paired t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).Results: The two groups did not differ in terms of demographic and obstetric variables and pregnancy anxiety pretest scores (P>0.05). The means of the posttest total scores and the means of scores for all five factors of the ASP were significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (p<0.001). The adjusted means of total scores and the adjusted means of scores for all six factors of the WDE-Q were significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (p<0.001).Conclusions: The solution-focused counseling reduced pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth in women participating in counseling sessions in comparison with the controls. Solution-focused counseling therapy sessions should be held for women with pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth.

Online solution‐focused psychoeducation as a new intervention for treating severe fear of childbirth: A randomized controlled trial in the pandemic period

“…This result is similar to the results of the present study. Mortazavi and Mehrabadi (2021) found that solution‐focused counseling (five sessions) reduced pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth. Some studies show that preparation for childbirth through educational programs based on psychoeducation (Fenwick et al, 2018; Toohill, Fenwick, Gamble, Creedy, Buist, et al, 2014) and psychotherapy (Nieminen et al, 2016; Ucar & Golbasi, 2019) reduces fear of childbirth.…”

“…Psychoeducation aims for the individual to understand the problem, to identify oneself interventions in coping with the problem, and to actively participate in the solution process (Fenwick et al, 2018). Studies investigating the effect of solution‐focused psychoeducation (SFP) or counseling on fear of childbirth are limited (Mortazavi & Mehrabadi, 2021; Sharifzadeh et al, 2018). Sharifzadeh et al (2018) reported in their study that a six‐session solution‐focused midwifery counseling program is effective to reduce the fear of childbirth in women.…”

“…Moreover, instead of dealing with difficult and unchangeable issues, solution‐focused counseling focuses on issues that are likely to change (De Shazer et al, 2021). Due to the short time of application, practicality, and using simple and effective techniques, this method is recently used during pregnancy (Aslani et al, 2017; Mortazavi & Mehrabadi, 2021; Ramezani et al, 2017; Sharifzadeh et al, 2018).…”

“…Sharifzadeh et al (2018) reported in their study that a six‐session solution‐focused midwifery counseling program is effective to reduce the fear of childbirth in women. Mortazavi and Mehrabadi (2021) found that a five‐session group solution‐focused counseling program is effective in reducing pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth in women. According to these studies, the effectiveness of the solution‐focused approach is increasing self‐efficacy, coping with fear, and useful strategies for women (Mortazavi & Mehrabadi, 2021; Sharifzadeh et al, 2018).…”

“…Studies investigating the effect of solution-focused psychoeducation (SFP) or counseling on fear of childbirth are limited (Mortazavi & Mehrabadi, 2021;Sharifzadeh et al, 2018). Sharifzadeh et al (2018) reported in their study that a six-session solution-focused midwifery counseling program is effective to reduce the fear of childbirth in women.…”