The effect of family support on anxiety and depression in pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies hospitalized in the third trimester of pregnancy: Results of randomized controlled trial

Background. During pregnancy, it is crucial to minimize maternal anxiety to maintain the mental and physical health of both the mother and fetus, especially in high-risk pregnancies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of family support on decreasing depressive and anxiety symptoms in women hospitalized with high-risk pregnancies in their third trimester.

Methods. This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 70 high-risk pregnant women in their third trimester. Samples were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group walked for five weeks, five days a week, with their spouse or a family member for half an hour a day in the hospital. The control group received routine care. Participants completed the Spielberger Anxiety and Beck Depression Inventory once before and once a week during the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS.21 software using ANCOVA, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U.

Results. Results showed that the subjects were homogeneous in terms of mean overall score of anxiety before the intervention, and there is no significant difference between the intervention group 43.2 (±2.93) and the control group 42.63 (±3.3) (P=0.53). Statistical tests showed that, three weeks after the intervention, the mean anxiety score in the study group decreased significantly, and there was a significant difference in the mean anxiety score of women in the intervention 41.3(±3.07) and control 42.12(±3.6) groups (P=0.032). On the other hand, the level of state anxiety in the study group decreased (P=0.03). The results showed that the depression score after the intervention in the study group decreased significantly (P=0.001).

Conclusion. Anxiety level and depression score decreased after the intervention.

Practical Implications. The current study's results showed that talking to a spouse or relatives during pregnancy can increase women's peace of mind, and social support during hospitalization can reduce the anxiety and depression of the pregnant mother. Therefore, using such methods will be beneficial for the pregnant mother.