Effectiveness of Cognitive Group counseling to self-esteem in nulliparous women

Abstract

Background and aims: Self-esteem is a powerful and important factor in creating health, satisfaction and happiness, and is an important determinant factor of the coping capacities of women during labor and delivery. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of group counseling on cognitive-behavioral approach on the self-esteem in primiparous pregnant women. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 46 pregnant nulliparous women in one of the hospitals in Tehran. Women who were in the first pregnancy and had a self-esteem score of zero or less selected after taking written inform consent. Then, they were randomly divided into two groups in the intervention and control group. The intervention group participated in 7 sessions of cognitive-behavioral group counseling, while the control group received only the routine pregnancy care. Two weeks after the last session, the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem questionnaire was recompleted by both groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive (percent and mean) and inferential statistical tests (Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney, t-test and K2 and using SPSS. Results: The results showed that difference between mean age among women in the intervention group (28.32±3.26), and the control group (25.88±4.24) was significant (P=0.035). The self-esteem scores mean of the intervention and control groups was (4.77±4.07) and (-1.79±2.26), which difference was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: It seems that cognitive-behavioral group counseling can increase the self-esteem of women during pregnancy. So, it is recommended to use counseling methods to improve the mental health of pregnant women in childbirth preparation classes