SELF-COMPASSION, MINDFULNESS AND COPING IN RELATION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER.

In early pregnancy (6–7 weeks), pregnant women with higher self-compassion and mindfulness had lower anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Avoidance-focused coping was linked to higher anxiety, depression, and stress. Self-compassion and mindfulness negatively predicted anxiety, depression, and stress, while problem-focused coping positively predicted depression. Avoidance showed a trend toward increasing stress. The findings suggest self-compassion and mindfulness are important targets for non-pharmacological interventions to prevent mental disorders in early pregnancy.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the levels and relationships of self-compassion, mindfulness, coping with stress, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress in pregnant women. The study involved 153 pregnant women (6+0-7+6) who completed a questionnaire of socio-demographic data, Self-Compassion Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Depression Questionnaire of the Center for Epidemiological Research and Perceived Stress Scale. Subjects with higher levels of self-compassion and mindfulness had lower levels of anxiety (r=-0.44, p<0.01), (r=-0.53, p<0.01), depression (r=-0.45, p<0.01), (r=-0.51, p<0.01), and stress (r=-0.53, p<0.01), (r=-0.45, p<0.01). Significantly higher levels of anxiety (r=0.19, p<0.05), depression (r=0.23, p<0.01), and stress symptoms (r=0.26, p<0.01) were experienced by subjects who used avoidance-focused coping. Self-compassion and mindfulness were negative predictors of anxiety (β=-0.26, p<0.001), (β=-0.42, p<0.001), depression (β=-0.35, p<0.001), (β=-0.37, p<0.001) and stress (β=-0.40, p<0.001), (β=-0.25, p<0.01). Problem-focused coping had a positive contribution to depression (β=0.15, p<0.05). Avoidance showed a tendency toward a positive effect on stress (β=0.13, p=0.06). The results indicate a significant role of self-compassion and mindfulness in predicting symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in pregnant women in early pregnancy as a focus of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at early prevention of mental disorders.