Evidence-based interventions to improve the psychological well-being of pregnant mothers: a scoping review

Supporting the psychological well-being of pregnant mothers is critical. The purpose of this study was to map the intervention to improve the psychological well-being of pregnant mothers.

This research method uses a scoping review with five stages, i.e., problem identification, identification of relevant studies, study selection, data mapping, compiling, summarizing, and reporting results. A systematic search strategy was applied to check for relevant papers dated 2011 until 2021, based on Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Grey Literature. PRISMA flowchart was used to select and summarize the studies, and the PCC framework was used for the search strategy. Criteria for inclusion were studies with pure experimental or quasi-experimental designs, focusing on improving women's psychological well-being or mental health, utilizing psychological well-being measures, and written in English with full-text availability.

From 32 articles, 56.24% used randomized control trials (RCT), 28.12% used quasi-experimental, 9.38% used experimental, and 3.13% used a clustered randomized trial and case study methods. 50% of the articles used developed countries, while the remaining 50% used developing countries. 12.50% of the articles used online or web-based for intervention, physical activities, and antenatal education, 9.38% used Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), 21.85% used psychoeducation, 6.25% used mindfulness, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), training-based, and 3.13% used psychodrama, relaxation, counseling, and happiness therapy. Intervention facilitators were engaged in 25% of the articles, no information regarding facilitators in another 25% of the articles, 21.85% engaged midwives, 12.50% engaged psychologists and physiotherapists, 6.25% engaged health workers, the researchers did 15.63%, and community workers and lectures did the remaining 3.13%.

Further empirical research to improve the psychological well-being of pregnant mothers needs to be done with a psychoeducational approach considering such communications, the role of the facilitator in intervention, and the research media used.