Influence of ACT Based Birthing Class on Parenting Stress and Depressive Symptoms
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Date
2017
Authors
Crawford, Natalie Sara
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The present study will examine the question(s) does participation in ACT-based birthing classes, Birth Your Way, effect maternal (1) parenting stress and (2) depressive symptoms at 1 month postpartum. Participants (41 low-income mothers) were randomly assigned to either the treatment (those who received the Birth Your Way class) or control (those who did not receive the Birth Your Way class) conditions. Maternal reports of stress/anxiety as well as depression were collected prenatally and 1-month postpartum. Additionally, levels of maternal experiential avoidance were collected prenatally and 1-month postpartum. A regression analysis found that when controlling for labor/delivery risk factors, participation in Birth Your Way did not have a significant effect on depressive symptoms 1-month postpartum, however it had a marginally significant effect on postpartum parenting stress. Post-hoc analysis found that when controlling for labor/delivery risk factors, the effect that participation in the birth class had on maternal levels of experiential avoidance is marginally significant. This thesis discusses the limitations of a behavioral intervention, reasons why a marginally significant result was found, as well as further directions for research. The results of the current work have important implications for future prenatal interventions and the role that ACT-based interventions can play in improving maternal and child health.
Description
54 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Psychology and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2017
Keywords
ACT, Depression, Parental stress, Therapy, Behavioral, Birthing class