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Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on psychological distress, well-being, and maternal self-efficacy in breast-feeding mothers: results of a pilot study.

Archives of women's mental health
June 1, 2013
Josefa Perez-Blasco et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention in improving maternal well-being and reducing psychological distress in breastfeeding mothers.

Results Summary

The intervention significantly improved maternal self-efficacy, mindfulness, self-compassion, and subjective happiness while reducing anxiety, stress, and psychological distress compared to the control group.

Population

Breastfeeding mothers during the early parenting period.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

8 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based intervention
increase
maternal self-efficacy
breast-feeding mothers
-
significantly higher
#1
mindfulness-based intervention
increase
some dimensions of mindfulness (observing, acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reactivity)
breast-feeding mothers
-
significantly higher
#2
mindfulness-based intervention
increase
self-compassion (self-kindness, mindfulness, over-identification, and total self-compassion)
breast-feeding mothers
-
significantly higher
#3
mindfulness-based intervention
decrease
anxiety
breast-feeding mothers
-
significantly less
#4
mindfulness-based intervention
decrease
stress
breast-feeding mothers
-
significantly less
#5
mindfulness-based intervention
decrease
psychological distress
breast-feeding mothers
-
significantly less
#6
Abstract

Several pilot studies have provided evidence that mindfulness-based intervention is beneficial during pregnancy, yet its effects in mothers during the early parenting period are unknown. The purpose of the present pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention in breast-feeding mothers. We developed and tested an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention aimed at improving maternal self-efficacy, mindfulness, self-compassion, satisfaction with life, and subjective happiness, and at reducing psychological distress. A randomized controlled, between-groups design was used with treatment and control groups (n = 26) and pretest and posttest measures. ANCOVA results indicated that, compared to the control group, mothers in the treatment group scored significantly higher on maternal self-efficacy, some dimensions of mindfulness (observing, acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reactivity), and self-compassion (self-kindness, mindfulness, over-identification, and total self-compassion). In addition, mothers who received the treatment exhibited significantly less anxiety, stress, and psychological distress. The results supported previous research findings about the benefits of mindfulness-based intervention in women from the perinatal and postpartum periods through the early parenting period. Additional research is needed to validate our findings in non-breast-feeding mothers and to examine the intervention's indirect benefits in terms of family relationships and child development.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AwarenessBreast FeedingFemaleHumansMaternal WelfareMeditationMind-Body TherapiesMothersPersonal SatisfactionPilot ProjectsPostpartum PeriodPregnancyProgram EvaluationPsychiatric Status Rating ScalesSelf EfficacyStress, PsychologicalTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations87
Citations/Year7.3
Relative Citation Ratio4.73
NIH Percentile92.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.63
Normalized Score0.69
Related Supplements
Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on psychological... | Panacea Index