A preliminary evaluation of a group compassion-focused intervention for individuals affected by perinatal loss

The United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service's (NHS) long term plan established Maternal Mental Health Services (MMHS) to provide specialist psychological assessment and intervention for perinatal loss, birth trauma, and fear of childbirth. Perinatal loss increases the risk of psychological and grief-related distress. Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is designed to reduce self-criticism and enhance emotional regulation and has shown promise in supporting perinatal populations. This study aimed to evaluate an online group CFT intervention delivered in an MMHS for individuals after perinatal loss. The study includes data from seven groups. In total, 30 women attended a 10-week CFT for perinatal loss psychological intervention group. The group was facilitated online and included psychoeducation and CFT skills to support with perinatal grief. Participants completed a range of self-report measures pre- and post-intervention that assessed self-criticism and self-compassion, symptoms of perinatal grief, psychological distress, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all outcome measures following the intervention. Psychological distress decreased (B = -7.84, p <.001, d = 1.06), as did post-traumatic stress symptoms (B = -17.80, p <.001, d = 1.21), grief-related distress (B = -16.92, p <.001, d = 1.00), and self-criticism (B = -7.24, p = .006, d = 0.73). Goal-based outcomes improved significantly (B = 5.48, p <.001, d = 2.58). Effect sizes indicated large and clinically meaningful change across key domains. This study provides valuable insights into the role of CFT in supporting bereaved mothers within MMHS settings. The findings support preliminary evidence of the utility of CFT for perinatal loss. Future research can build on this by replicating with larger samples to further explore efficacy and incorporate assessment of long-term change. Acceptability within diverse samples also requires exploration.