Preliminary Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Perinatal Mindfulness-Based Well-Being and Parenting Programs for Low-Income New Mothers.
Liliana J. Lengua, Stephanie Thompson, Rebecca E. Calhoun, Robyn B. Long, Cynthia Price, Ira Kantrowitz-Gordon, Lisa Shimomaeda, Paula S Nurius, Lynn Fainsilber Katz, Jessica Sommerville, Cathryn Booth-LaForce, Anna Treadway, Alina Metje, Dannielle J Whiley, Natasha Moini
Mindfulness March 7, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-023-02096-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 188 |
| Population | First-time mothers living in low-income contexts, racially and ethnically diverse |
| Intervention | Book control |
| Duration | 6-week prenatal intervention; assessments at pregnancy (T1) and when infants were 2-4 months (T2), 4-6 months (T3), and 10-12 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Prevention Perinatal Low income Maternal mental health Infant self-regulation |
| Key findings | A 6-week prenatal mindfulness-based well-being intervention was associated with reduced depressive symptoms during pregnancy but not postpartum, higher maternal baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia, fewer intrusive control behaviors, and lower infant cortisol in the early postpartum period. A postpartum parenting intervention was associated with reduced maternal anxiety and increased responsive parenting. The authors suggest brief mindfulness-based preventive interventions can promote maternal and infant mental health in low-income, high-stress settings, particularly if accessibility is enhanced. |
Abstract
Objectives: This study examined specificity in the effects of three perinatal mindfulness-based prevention programs that differed in their timing (prenatal, postpartum) and target (maternal well-being, parenting). Effects on maternal mental health (depression, anxiety, resilience), mindfulness, and observed parenting, as well as observed, physiological, and mother-report indicators of infant self-regulation, were examined.
Methods: The programs were evaluated in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of first-time mothers (n = 188) living in low-income contexts using intention-to-treat analysis. Mothers were assigned to a prenatal well-being, postpartum well-being, parenting, or book control group. Multi-method assessments that included questionnaire, observational, and physiological measures were conducted at four time points: during pregnancy (T1) and when infants were 2-4 months (T2), 4-6 months (T3), and 10-12 months.
Results: Compared to the postpartum intervention and control groups, the 6-week prenatal well-being intervention was related to decreases in depressive symptoms during pregnancy but not postpartum, higher maternal baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), fewer intrusive control behaviors, and lower infant cortisol levels in the early postpartum period. Compared to all other groups, the postpartum parenting intervention was related to decreases in maternal anxiety and increases in responsive parenting. Some differential effects across programs might be due to differences in attendance rates in the prenatal (62%) vs. postpartum (35%) groups.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that brief mindfulness-based well-being and parenting preventive interventions can promote maternal and infant mental health in families living in low-income, high-stress settings, particularly if accessibility can be enhanced. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered.
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 2
- Reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnancy: Case report of maternal mental health from Indonesia Jurnal Aisyah Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan September 22, 2023
- Cumulative adversity, mindfulness, and mental health in first-time mothers experiencing low income. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports December 2023
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- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction for Parents of Young Children with Developmental Delays: Implications for Parental Mental Health and Child Behavior Problems Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities July 1, 2013
- The mindful moms training: development of a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce stress and overeating during pregnancy BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth June 1, 2018
and 9 more in the library