SELF-COMPASSION, MINDFULNESS AND COPING IN RELATION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER.
Sanja Kanisek, Rudika Gmajnić, Sanja Jandrić, Ana Kurtović, Ivana Barać, Željka Vukšić, Sanda Pribić
Acta clinica Croatica June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.20471/acc.2025.64.02.04 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 153 |
| Population | Pregnant women in early pregnancy (6+0-7+6 weeks gestation) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Coping with stress Mental disorders Pregnant women Self-compassion |
| Key findings | Higher self-compassion and mindfulness predicted lower anxiety, depression, and stress in early pregnancy, while avoidance-focused coping predicted higher symptoms. |
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.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |