MSM reduces anxiety in pregnancyEffectiveness of the mom supports mom peer support intervention in treating antenatal mental health difficulties in women.
We tested a phone-based peer support program called Mom Supports Mom (MSM) to see how it affects anxiety in pregnant women at risk of mental health issues. A total of 167 women participated in the study and were split into two groups. One group received the MSM intervention, while the other group continued with standard care, which didn’t include psychological support.
After one month, we checked in again on the women’s mental health using various assessment tools. While we found that levels of anxiety significantly dropped in the women who engaged in the MSM program, their depressive symptoms remained unchanged. Specifically, the anxiety levels showed a notable reduction, which suggests that the MSM support could help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety faced during pregnancy.
Additionally, we observed an increase in prenatal attachment among the women who received the peer support. This suggests that while MSM helps reduce anxiety, it may not address depression directly. Overall, the findings show promise for using peer support to aid mental well-being during pregnancy, though depression remains a challenge that needs further attention.
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