Effectiveness of a Psychosocial Support Intervention for Women Diagnosed With Fetal Anomaly

Effectiveness of a Psychosocial Support Intervention for Women Diagnosed With Fetal Anomaly: Randomised Controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychosocial support intervention for women diagnosed with fetal anomaly. A randomized controlled trial design will be used, and women diagnosed with fetal anomaly will be included as participants. The intervention group will receive a structured psychosocial support program, while the control group will receive routine care.

Providing psychosocial support to pregnant women to maintain their psychosocial health plays a facilitating role in helping them acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to cope with the difficulties they encounter, facilitating their functional adaptation and improving their quality of life. In the presence of a foetus with a diagnosis of anomaly risk during pregnancy, it becomes even more important for pregnant women to receive psychosocial support to protect their mental and physical health.

The main objective of this project is to examine the effectiveness of online psychosocial support provided to pregnant women with foetuses at risk of anomaly during their pregnancy. In line with this main objective, the psychosocial support needs of pregnant women with a risk of foetal abnormalities will first be determined using a qualitative research design. Subsequently, the effectiveness of the online psychosocial support developed in line with these needs will be objectively demonstrated in pregnant women with a risk of foetal abnormalities using a randomised controlled research design and measurement tools.

Inclusion Criteria:

• In her current pregnancy, the results of the dual or triple screening test (a screening test result of 1:50 or 1:100 is considered a high risk for Down syndrome (Şirin, 2020) and/or ultrasound findings (physical/anatomical and congenital anomalies) indicate a high risk of foetal abnormalities,
• Decision to continue the pregnancy,
• Being over 18 years of age,
• Having received hospital services at least once after the initial diagnosis (this criterion was added to enable the pregnant woman to evaluate the services she received from the hospital after the diagnosis and to express her expectations beyond the services provided)
• No mental or psychological disorders that would make it difficult to express oneself,
• Voluntary participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women who do not meet the inclusion criteria will be excluded from the sample.