THE EFFECT OF COUPLE COUNSELLING BASED ON MARITAL SUPPORT on ANXIETY AND WORRY DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy worry and anxiety are recognized as barriers in labor progress. This
study was conducted to determine the effect of couple counseling based on marital support on anxiety
and worry during pregnancy who referred to the selected Health centers in Urmia.
Materials & Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 60 pregnant women and their spouses
with gestational age between 18-32 weeks at Urmia selected health care centers in 2014. Data collection
tool was individual information form, Cambridge worry and Spielberger anxiety inventory. Those
women were randomly entered into the study groups (30 couple in each group). The intervention group
in once a week, to 6 Session, was counseled. The non-intervention group received the normal prenatal
care. Data was analyzed by SPSS-20, Mann- Witney-U, and T-test Wilcoxon rank tests. P-value less
than 0.05 was considered significant.
A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty pregnant women and their spouses during 18-32
gestational weeks were randomly assigned into intervention (n=30) and control group (n=30) in 2014.
The couples in intervention group invited to attend in couple counseling based on marital support
sessions, and the control group received only routine prenatal care. State/trait anxiety was measured
with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, worry during pregnancy was measured with the
Cambridge Worry Scale.
Results: Mean score of total worry in pregnant women was significantly different in two groups of
intervention group and control group (P˂ 001). Also, mean score of socio-medical, socio-economic,
Health and Relationships were significantly different in two groups of intervention group and control
group (P˂ 001). Also, mean score of state anxiety and trait anxiety in pregnant women were significantly
different in two groups of intervention group, and control group (P<001).
Conclusion: Couple counselling Based on marital support reduced their worry and anxiety during
pregnancy. For reduction of worry and anxiety of pregnant women, during pregnancy counseling with
Women with husbands was suggested