The effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on stress, subjective anxiety, self-compassion, and prenatal attachment in pregnant women with perinatal loss: A randomized controlled trial.
Hatice Gül Öztaş, Esra Sabancı Baransel, Zeynep Aktaş
Death Studies January 18, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2026.2613244 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 112 |
| Population | Pregnant women with perinatal loss |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | MBSR significantly reduced stress and anxiety and improved self-compassion and prenatal attachment in pregnant women with perinatal loss. |
Abstract
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on stress, subjective anxiety, self-compassion, and prenatal attachment in pregnant women with perinatal loss. A total of 112 women were randomly assigned to MBSR (n = 56) or control (n = 56) groups. The MBSR program was delivered face-to-face in eight sessions over 4 weeks. Pretest comparisons showed no significant differences between groups (p >.05). Posttest results indicated that the MBSR group had significantly lower Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale (partner involvement and negative affect) and Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale scores, with large effect sizes (η2 = .677, .679, .143, .621). The MBSR group also showed significantly higher Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form scores (η2 = .542) and higher Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale scores, including both time spent on attachment and attachment quality (η2 = .620, .760, .557). Findings suggest MBSR effectively reduces stress and anxiety while enhancing self-compassion and prenatal attachment in women with perinatal loss.