Mindfulness, Self-Compassion and Psychological Distress in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Introduction

Anxiety, depression, and stress in pregnancy are risk factors for adverse outcomes for mothers and children (Glover, 2014). There is good evidence showing a decrease in psychological distress when pregnant women participate in interventions comprising mindfulness and self-compassion practices (Dunn et al., 2012). However, there are few studies on the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological distress variables in pregnancy, without being within the scope of intervention trials (Cohen, 2010; Zoeterman, 2014).

Objective

To explore the association between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological distress/PD in pregnant women.

Methods

Four hundred and twenty-seven pregnant women (mean age: 32.56 ± 4.785 years) in their second trimester of pregnancy (17.34 ± 4.790 weeks of gestation) completed the Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire-10 (FMQ-10; Azevedo et al., 2015; to evaluate Non-udging of experience/NJ, acting with awareness/AA and observing and describing), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Bento et al., 2015; to evaluate self-kindness/SK, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness and over-identification) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21; Xavier et al., 2015). Only variables significantly correlated with the outcomes (Total DASS-21, Stress, Anxiety and Depression) were entered in the multiple regression models.

Results

FMQ-10 and SCS Total scores were both significant predictors of DASS-21 (B = –.335,–.296). Stress predictors were NJ, AA, SK and isolation (B = –.164;–.196;–.087; .353); Anxiety predictors were NJ, SK and isolation (B = –.198;–.124; .268); depression predictors were NJ, SK and Isolation (B = –.277;–.128; .232) (all P < .01).

Conclusions

Mindfulness and self-compassion dimensions, particularly non-udging of experience and self-Kindness are protective for PD in pregnancy. Isolation is a correlate of PD in pregnancy.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.