Feasibility of Modified Mindfulness Training Program on Antenatal Depression and Perceived Stress Among Expected Mothers with Male Child Preference
. Badil, Najma Naz, Dildar Muhammad, Khalid Rehman -
preprint DOI: 10.20944/preprints202502.0316.v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Feasibility trial Qualitative |
|---|---|
| Population | Pregnant women with antenatal depression and perceived stress who preferred a male child, at a public sector tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan |
| Intervention | Modified mindfulness training program |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors report that a culturally adapted mindfulness training program significantly reduced antenatal depression and perceived stress scores over time in pregnant women with a male-child preference, with the largest declines occurring between the first and second assessment points, and they conclude the program is culturally suitable and contextually relevant for Pakistan. |
Abstract
Background and
Objectives: Antenatal depression and perceived stress are prevalent mental health challenges in pregnant women, associated with male-child preference. The study aimed to assess the feasibility of a modified mindfulness training program on antenatal depression and perceived stress levels among expected mothers with male child preference at a public sector tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: The present feasibility trial was conducted among expected mothers having antenatal depression and perceived stress with a male child's preference by using the ADAPT-ITT framework. Need assessment and experiences of the new target population were carried out through an exploratory, descriptive qualitative study. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide and analysed using a thematic analysis process. A repeated measures MANOVA was employed to investigate the effect of time on antenatal depression and perceived stress scores in the feasibility of the intervention.
Results: Five major themes emerged from qualitative data. Significant influence of time was established on antenatal depression scores and a perceived score of F (2, 326) = 21.244, p < .001 and F (2, 326) = 310.748, p < 0.001 respectively. Antenatal depression scores significantly decreased from T1 to T2, mean difference = 4.00, p < .001, and slightly significant decline from T2 to T3, mean difference = 1.167, p = 0.001. Perceived stress scores significantly reduced from T1 to T2, mean difference = 10.214, p < .001, and a minor but significant decline from T2 to T3, mean difference = 0.333, p = 0.043.
Conclusion: The study concluded the modified mindful training program is a culturally suitable, contextually relevant intervention in Pakistan's context and it significantly reduced antenatal depression and perceived stress in expected mothers.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on depression, most cited first.