The Effect of Mindfulness‐Based Sexual Counseling on Sexual Distress, Attitude Toward Sexuality, and Body Image Concerns in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Sıdıka Özlem Cengizhan, Tuba Uçar
Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health June 9, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13518 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 134 |
| Population | Pregnant women experiencing sexual distress presenting to a Healthy Living Center in eastern Turkey |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based sexual counseling (MBSC) |
| Duration | 4-week, 8-session counseling program; outcomes assessed postintervention |
| Measures | Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, Attitude Scale toward Sexuality during Pregnancy, Body Image Concerns during Pregnancy Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 16 |
| Registration | NCT04900194 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based sexual counseling reduced sexual distress (mean 7.69 vs 17.36) and body image concerns (57.76 vs 73.88) and improved attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy (133.52 vs 105.78) compared with treatment as usual. The authors call it a promising strategy and recommend larger trials before clinical adoption. |
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual distress during pregnancy can cause a negative attitude toward sexuality during pregnancy, and this can be seen especially in conjunction with body image concerns. This study was conducted to determine the effects of mindfulness-based sexual counseling (MBSC) on sexual distress, attitudes toward sexuality, and body image concerns in pregnant women.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of women who experienced sexual distress presenting to a Healthy Living Center in eastern Turkey. Women (N = 134) were randomly assigned to receive a 4-week, 8-session counseling program based on mindfulness (experimental group; n = 67) or treatment as usual (control group; n = 67). The primary outcome of the study, sexual distress, was assessed using the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised. Secondary outcomes included attitude toward sexuality, assessed using the Attitude Scale toward Sexuality during Pregnancy, and body image concerns, using the Body Image Concerns during Pregnancy Scale. Outcomes were compared postintervention, correcting for baseline using analysis of covariance. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04900194).
Results: Mean scores for sexual distress (7.69 vs 17.36; P < .001) and body image concerns (57.76 vs 73.88; P < .001) decreased significantly in the mindfulness group compared with the control group. Similarly, mean scores for attitudes toward sexuality significantly improved in the mindfulness group compared with the control group (133.52 vs 105.78; P < .05).
Discussion: MBSC is a promising strategy to help women experiencing sexual distress during pregnancy to reduce their levels of sexual distress, raise their positive attitudes toward sexuality, and lower their body image concerns. Larger clinical trials of MBSC are recommended to support introduction of MBSC into clinical practice.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Mindfulness for Midwives: Supporting Health and Well‐Being for Our Clients and Ourselves Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health September 1, 2023
- Investigation the therapeutic effect of mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral counseling in pregnant women with body image dissatisfaction: A randomized controlled trial. European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology: X June 1, 2025
- The effect of mindfulness-based intervention on mother’s body image and maternal fetal attachment Journal of Education and Health Promotion April 1, 2026
- Evaluating the interrelationship of mindfulness, sexual relational concern, and health related behaviors on women’s life satisfaction through path analysis BMC Women's Health July 19, 2025
- The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on sexual self-esteem in women with breast cancer after mastectomy: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cancer Survivorship September 11, 2026
and 1 more in the library
Cites 5
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
- A Randomised Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of Self-Compassion Meditations on Women's Body Image. Body image December 1, 2020
- A Systematic Review on Mindfulness Meditation-Based Interventions for Sexual Dysfunctions. The Journal of Sexual Medicine October 1, 2019
- A Pilot Study of Eight-Session Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Adapted for Women's Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder. The Journal of Sex Research September 2017