Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Psychological Distress in Pregnancy

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Psychological Distress in Pregnancy

Anxiety, stress and depression are common during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. The lack of empirically supported, non-pharmaceutical interventions for psychological distress in pregnancy is a significant gap in the literature, especially given many pregnant women's preference for non-pharmaceutical treatments. This study will evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program in reducing measures of psychological distress (e.g., symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety) in a group of pregnant women endorsing high levels of distress.

Inclusion Criteria:

Eligible women for this study

• are between 12 and 28 weeks of gestation,
• are experiencing psychological distress (elevated perinatal anxiety, mild depressive symptoms, or high-levels of self-reported stress)

Exclusion Criteria:

• current suicidality
• current substance abuse or dependence
• experience a current major depressive episode
• have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or other disorders that have a psychotic, dissociative, hallucinatory, or delusional component
• taking prescribed medications that affect sleep or mood