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Preventive Psychological Interventions for the Management of Perinatal Anxiety: A Systematic Review
Alba Val1, Cristina M Posse1, M Carmen Míguez1
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Psychology (IPsiUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Introduction:
Anxiety is a common problem during pregnancy and postpartum that can have important consequences for mothers and their babies. Having preventive psychological interventions to apply during the perinatal stage could help to reduce its adverse effects. The aim of this study was to find out which psychological interventions have been applied for the prevention of perinatal anxiety, what therapeutic approach and application format have been most commonly used, and which interventions have proven to be most effective.
Methods:
A literature review was conducted in the PsycInfo, Medline, and SCOPUS databases to identify articles published between March 2015 and March 2025.
Results:
Twenty studies were selected that met the inclusion criteria. Twelve of the interventions analyzed were indicated prevention programs and eight were universal prevention programs, with most taking place in pregnancy (n = 18). Mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy were the most commonly employed approaches. Regarding the application format, interventions conducted face-to-face and online were equally frequent, as well as those carried out individually or in groups. The duration ranged from 4 to 14 sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy interventions, applied face-to-face and in groups, proved to be the most effective.
Conclusions:
Preventive psychological interventions are effective in reducing anxiety during pregnancy. Further research is needed to draw conclusive results on their long-term effects and efficacy in the postpartum period.
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