Effects of a Brief Inpatient Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Distress and Marital Satisfaction in High‐Risk Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Solmaz Heydarifard, Faezeh Safaralinezhad, Atefeh SafaralinezhadABSTRACT
Objective
Hospitalized women with high‐risk pregnancies are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress and relational strain. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief inpatient mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) program in improving psychological distress and marital satisfaction.
Methods
Fifty‐seven pregnant women (24–28 weeks' gestation) hospitalized for premature rupture of membranes were randomized to either an 8‐week brief MBSR program or treatment‐as‐usual. Fifty‐three participants completed the study. Outcomes included psychological distress assessed by the distress subscale of the Mental Health Inventory (MHI‐28), mindfulness measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and marital satisfaction assessed by the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS), assessed at baseline, post‐intervention, and 4‐week postpartum follow‐up. Repeated‐measures ANOVA with Greenhouse–Geisser correction was performed.
Results
Significant time × group interactions were observed for mindfulness, anxiety, depression, and marital satisfaction (all p < 0.001). Participants in the intervention group showed sustained improvements in mindfulness and marital satisfaction and significant reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms compared with controls.
Conclusion
A brief inpatient MBSR program may reduce psychological distress and improve marital satisfaction among hospitalized women with high‐risk pregnancies. Larger multicenter trials with extended follow‐up are warranted.