Mindfulness, Self-compassion And Depressive Symptoms In Pregnant Women

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S420-S420 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.T. Pereira ◽  
S. Xavier ◽  
E. Bento ◽  
J. Azevedo ◽  
M. Marques ◽  
...  

IntroductionDepressive symptoms in pregnancy are risk factors for postpartum depression and associated to adverse child outcomes (Glover, 2014). Depressive symptoms decreases after participation in mindfulness and self-compassion based interventions for pregnant women (e.g. Goodman et al., 2014). However, apart from intervention trials, there are not studies on the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and depressive symptoms in pregnancy (Zoeterman, 2014).ObjectiveTo explore the association between mindfulness, self-compassion and depressive symptoms in pregnant women.MethodsFour hundred and twenty-seven pregnant women (mean age: 32.56 ± 4.785 years) in their second trimester of pregnancy completed a set of self-report questionnaires validated for pregnancy: Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire-10 ([FMQ-10]; Azevedo et al., 2015; to evaluate Nonjudging of experience/NJ, acting with awareness (AA) and observing and describing (OD), Self-Compassion Scale ([SCS]; Bento et al., 2015; to evaluate self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity [CH], isolation, mindfulness and over-identification [OD]) and Postpartum Depression Screening Scale-24 (PDSS-24; Pereira et al., 2013). Only variables significantly correlated with the outcomes were entered in the multiple regression models.ResultsFMQ-10 and SCS Total scores were both significant predictors of PDSS-24 (B = –0.294,–0.272). Derealization and failure predictors were NJ and Isolation (B = –0.234; 0.384); Suicidal ideation predictor was NJ, OD and isolation (B = –0.152;–0.115; 0.334); concentration difficulties and anxiety predictors were isolation and CH (B = 0.296;–0.201); Sleep difficulties predictors were AA and isolation (B = –0.199; 0.248) (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsMindfulness and self-Ccompassion dimensions, particularly nonjudging of experience, acting with awareness, observing and describing are protective correlates of antenatal depressive symptoms. Isolation is a correlate of PD in pregnancy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S484-S485
Author(s):  
S. Xavier ◽  
J. Azevedo ◽  
E. Bento ◽  
M. Marques ◽  
M. Soares ◽  
...  

IntroductionAnxiety, 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).ObjectiveTo explore the association between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological distress/PD in pregnant women.MethodsFour 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.ResultsFMQ-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).ConclusionsMindfulness 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 interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s268-s268 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Marques ◽  
A.T. Pereira ◽  
V. Freitas ◽  
E. Bento ◽  
J. Azevedo ◽  
...  

IntroductionMindfulness based programs during pregnancy (some including self-compassion components) increase self-compassion, mindfulness and maternal self-efficacy, and reduce anxiety, stress and psychological distress in pregnant women. According to our knowledge, there are no studies about the association between self-compassion and sleep outcomes in pregnancy.ObjectiveTo explore differences in self-compassion, between three sleep groups, in a sample of Portuguese pregnant women.MethodsFour hundred and nineteen pregnant women (mean age: 32.51 ± 4.759; weeks of gestation: 17.32 ± 4.803) completed the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS, Bento et al., 2015), presenting six dimensions (self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness and over-identification) and the Insomnia Assessment Scale (Marques et al., 2015). Three sleep groups were formed: good sleepers (no insomnia symptoms; no associated daily impairment); insomnia symptoms groups (one/more insomnia symptoms; no associated daily impairment); insomniacs (one/more insomnia symptoms; daily associated impairment).ResultsThere were significant differences in the total SCS, self-judgment, isolation and over-identification scores, between sleep groups [respectively, F (2,396) = 7,926, P ≤ 0,001; F (2,409) = 19,155, P ≤ 0,001; F (2,410) = 13,016, P ≤ 0,001; F (2,412) = 11,258, P ≤ 0,001]. Self-judgement, isolation and over-identification scores of good sleepers and insomnia symptoms group were higher than of insomniacs. Total SCS score of good sleepers was higher than of insomniacs and the same score of symptoms of insomnia group was also higher than of insomniacs.ConclusionsResults seem to show the importance of developing self-compassion to improve sleep in pregnancy or reduce the impact of insomnia symptoms (common at pregnancy).Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S416-S417
Author(s):  
E. Bento ◽  
S. Xavier ◽  
J. Azevedo ◽  
M. Marques ◽  
M.J. Soares ◽  
...  

IntroductionAlthough self-compassion has been pointed as an effective strategy for coping with depression, there are not any studies investigating its association with lifetime history of depression (LTHD).ObjectiveTo compare self-compassion levels in pregnant women with vs. without LTHD and to analyze if self-compassion dimensions are significant predictors of LTHD.MethodsFour hundred and twenty-seven pregnant women with a mean age of 33 years (±4.785) in their second trimester of pregnancy completed the Self Compassion Scale validated for pregnancy (SCS; Bento et al., 2015) and a new self-report questionnaire to evaluate the presence of LTHD according to DSM-5 criteria for depression.ResultsNinety-seven (23.0%) women had LTHD. Bisserial Spearmen correlations between LTHD and SCS total score were significant, negative and moderate (r = –0.31). SCS subscales, except Common Humanity, showed significant correlations: Self-Kindness/SK (r = –0.130), self-judgement (SJ) (0.313), isolation (0.357), mindfulness (r = –0.102), over-identification (OI) (r = 0.393). Independent sample t tests revealed that women with vs. without LTHD had significantly lower levels of total SCS, SK and Mindfulness scores and higher levels of SJ, Isolation and OI.Logistic regression (assumptions were fulfilled, Tabachnick and Fidell, 2007) showed that the SCS explained 26.7%–43.6% of the LTHD variance and correctly classified 86.9%; the odds ratio (OR) was.865 (95% CI 0.834–0.898; P < 0.001). The model composed by the correlated dimensions explained 15.9%–24.0% and correctly classified 80.6%. Odds ratios: SK = 0.017; SJ = 0.021; isolation = 16.027; mindfulness = 0.167 and OI = 20.178 (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsSelf-compassion, specifically the ability to treat oneself with care and understanding and to be aware and accepting one's present-moment experiences, decrease the probability of having LTHD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1753495X2110125
Author(s):  
Jonathan S Zipursky ◽  
Deva Thiruchelvam ◽  
Donald A Redelmeier

Background Cardiovascular symptoms in pregnancy may be a clue to psychological distress. We examined whether electrocardiogram testing in pregnant women is associated with an increased risk of subsequent postpartum depression. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study of pregnant women who delivered in Ontario, Canada comparing women who received a prenatal ECG to women who did not. Results In total, 3,238,218 women gave birth during the 25-year study period of whom 157,352 (5%) received an electrocardiogram during prenatal care. Receiving an electrocardiogram test was associated with a one-third relative increase in the odds of postpartum depression (odds ratio 1.34; 95% confidence interval 1.29–1.39, p < 0.001). Conclusion The association between prenatal electrocardiogram testing and postpartum depression suggests a possible link of organic disease with mental illness, and emphasizes that cardiovascular symptoms may be a clinical clue to the presence of an underlying mood disorder.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S356-S356 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Matos ◽  
J. Duarte ◽  
C. Duarte ◽  
J. Pinto-Gouveia ◽  
P. Gilbert

IntroductionCompassion and self-compassion can be protective factors against mental health difficulties, in particular depression. The cultivation of the compassionate self, associated with a range of practices such as slow and deeper breathing, compassionate voice tones and facial expressions, and compassionate focusing, is central to compassion focused therapy (Gilbert, 2010). However, no study has examined the processes of change that mediate the impact of compassionate self-cultivation practices on depressive symptoms.AimsThe aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a brief compassionate self training (CST) intervention on depressive symptoms, and explore the psychological processes that mediate the change at post intervention.MethodsUsing a longitudinal design, participants (general population and college students) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Compassionate self training (n = 56) and wait-list control (n = 37). Participants in the CST condition were instructed to practice CST exercises for 15 minutes everyday or in moments of stress during two weeks. Self-report measures of depression, self-criticism, shame and compassion, were completed at pre and post in both conditions.ResultsResults showed that, at post-intervention, participants in the CST condition decreased depression, self-criticism and shame, and increased self-compassion and openness to receive compassion from others. Mediation analyses revealed that changes in depression from pre to post intervention were mediated by decreases in self-criticism and shame, and increases in self-compassion and openness to the compassion from others.ConclusionsThese findings support the efficacy of compassionate self training components on lessening depressive symptoms and promoting mental health.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna E. Henriksson ◽  
Christina Malavaki ◽  
Emma Bränn ◽  
Vasilis Drainas ◽  
Susanne Lager ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1719-1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nath ◽  
G. Russell ◽  
W. Kuyken ◽  
L. Psychogiou ◽  
T. Ford

BackgroundPaternal depressive symptoms are associated with children's emotional and behavioural problems, which may be mediated by negative parenting. But there is no research on the influence of paternal depressive symptoms on children's emotion regulation and limited literature investigating fathers’ parenting as a mediator in the pathway between paternal depressive symptoms and children's externalizing and internalizing problems. We aimed to investigate the mediating role of father–child conflict (at 3 years) in the association between postnatal paternal depressive symptoms (at 9 months) and children's emotional and behavioural problems (at 7 years) (aim 1). We also examined whether mediation pathways were more pronounced for boys or for girls (aim 2).MethodSecondary data analysis was conducted on the Millennium Cohort Study, when children were 9 months, 3 years and 7 years old (n = 3520). Main study variables were measured by self-report questionnaires. Fathers completed the Rutter Scale (depressive symptoms) and the Parent–Child Relationship Questionnaire (father–child conflict), while mothers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Social Behaviour Questionnaire (child emotional and behavioural problems, emotion regulation). We used structural equation modelling to estimate direct, indirect and total effects of paternal depressive symptoms on child outcomes, mediated by father–child conflict whilst adjusting for relevant covariates (maternal depressive symptoms, child temperament, marital conflict, and socio-economic factors such as poverty indicator and fathers’ education level). Multi-group and interaction analysis was then conducted to determine the differential effect by gender of the association between paternal depressive symptoms on child outcomes via father–child conflict.ResultsFather–child conflict mediated the association between paternal depressive symptoms and emotion regulation problems [standardized indirect effect (SIE) 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.03 to −0.01, p < 0.001; standardized total effect (STE) 95% CI −0.05 to −0.01, p < 0.05] (aim 1). Father–child conflict mediated a larger proportion of the effect in boys (SIE 95% CI −0.03 to −0.01, p < 0.001; STE 95% CI −0.05 to 0.00, p = 0.063) than it did in girls (SIE 95% CI −0.02 to −0.01, p < 0.001; STE 95% CI −0.04 to 0.01, p = 0.216) (aim 2).ConclusionsFather–child conflict may mediate the association between postnatal paternal depressive symptoms and children's emotion regulation problems. Paternal depressive symptoms and father–child conflict resolution may be potential targets in preventative interventions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s269-s269
Author(s):  
M. Marques ◽  
A.T. Pereira ◽  
E. Bento ◽  
S. Xavier ◽  
J. Azevedo ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe impact of mindfulness in improving insomnia symptoms is documented in different samples (e.g. anxiety disorders; insomnia samples) and mindfulness based programs for pregnancy refer the association between mindfulness development and the reduction of insomnia symptoms/improvement of sleep.ObjectiveTo explore differences in the Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire-10 (FMQ-10; Azevedo et at. 2015), between sleep groups, in Portuguese pregnant women.MethodsFour hundred and nineteen pregnant women (mean age: 32.51 ± 4.759; weeks of gestation: 17.32 ± 4.803) answered the Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire-10 and the Insomnia Assessment Scale (IAS, Marques et al., 2015). Three sleep groups were created considering all the IAS items: good sleepers (no insomnia symptoms; no associated daily impairment); insomnia symptoms groups (one/more insomnia symptoms; no associated daily impairment; exclusion of other conditions/disorders explaining the symptoms); insomniacs (one/more insomnia symptoms; one/more daily associated impairment; exclusion of other conditions/disorders explaining the symptoms).ResultsThere were significant differences in the total FMQ-10 score, the F1/Nonjudging of inner experience and the F2/acting with awareness, between sleep groups [respectively, F (2.402) = 6,933; P = 0.001; F (2.406) = 10.243; P = 0.001; F (2.406) = 37.431; P = 0.002]. Tukey tests indicated that the mean total FMQ-10 and F1/Nonjudging of inner experience scores of good sleepers and insomnia symptoms group were significantly higher than of the insomniacs. The mean value of F2/acting with awareness in the good sleepers was significantly higher than of the insomniacs.ConclusionsIt seems important to develop mindfulness to improve sleep in pregnancy or reduce the impact of insomnia symptoms (common at pregnancy).Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


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