The effect of stress management training on perceived stress, anxiety and hopelessness levels of women with high-risk pregnancy

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stress management training on the perceived stress, anxiety and hopelessness levels of women with high-risk pregnancy. The sample of this experimental study consisted of 206 high-risk pregnant women (intervention = 103; control = 103). Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In the second follow-up after the training, there was a statistically significant difference amongst the Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory mean scores in the intervention and control groups (p < .05). Perceived stress scores of the control group who did not receive training during discharge increased. The state and trait anxiety scores and hopelessness scores of the intervention group received training decreased compared with the control group.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Mental problems such as anxiety and stress are more common in high-risk pregnancies compared with healthy pregnancies. What do the results of this study add? After the training 51.4% of women in the intervention group, 75.7% of women in the control group had stress. The state and trait anxiety and hopelessness scores of the intervention group having training decreased compared to the control group. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Health professionals should provide stress management training in high-risk pregnant women to reducing perceived stress, anxiety and hopelessness levels

Sexual experiences and quality of life in Turkish women using methods of contraception

The aim of this study was to examine the sexual experiences and quality of life in women using methods of contraception. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 259 women. The data were collected by the Personal Information Form, the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASES) and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). It was found that 35.1% of the women use condoms, 30.1% of them use the Intrauterine Device (IUD), 22.0% had problems using the method and 39% had the side effects while using the method. There was a statistically significant difference between the state of having problems using the methods and quality of life average scores and between the state of having side effects and sexual life and quality of life average scores (p < .05).Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Sexual problems are common health problems among women and can lead to loss of self-esteem in women, depression and emotional stress. What do the results of this study add? Women who experience problems using a contraception method have a lower quality of life. Sexual dysfunctions were higher among those who experienced side effects of the methods, quality of life scores were lower. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Health professionals should provide information and counselling about possible problems or side effects and ways to cope with these problems or side effects

Effect of stress management training on depression, stress and coping strategies in pregnant women: a randomised controlled trial

Introduction: Pregnancy is a period of important biological and psychosocial changes and a period that carries high risk of experiencing anxiety and stress. It is important to reduce the depression and stress that is experienced in this period or to reduce the severity of the stress and to increase the stress coping power of the pregnant women. The research was conducted to examine the effect of stress management training on pregnant women’s depression, stress and methods for coping with stress. Methods: Randomised controlled study of 202 pregnant women (experimental group: 103; control group: 99). The experimental group received stress management training and standard care; the control group received standard care. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and ways of coping inventory (WCI). Results: Both groups showed a decrease in average BDI score during the study; the decrease was greater in the experimental group (p < 0.05). In the two assessments carried out after training the experimental group had lower average PSS scores than the control group (p < 0.05). At the second and third assessments the experimental group had higher scores than the control group on the self-confident approach and search for social support approach WCI subscales (ps < 0.05). Discussion: The average BDI and PSS scores of pregnant women in the experimental group decreased after training in coping with stress. Their scores on the self-confident approach, optimistic approach and search for social support WCI subscales increased. Stress management training is an effective method of encouraging pregnant women to take a positive approach to coping with stress