Effects of a family-support programme for pregnant women with foetal abnormalities requiring pregnancy termination: A randomized controlled trial in China

Abstract

Aim: We examined the effects of a family-support programme for pregnant women with foetal abnormalities in terms of family support, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from November 2016 to June 2017. A total of 124 pregnant women with foetal abnormalities were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group that received a family-support programme or control group that received only routine care. Self-reported questionnaires including the Family Adaptation Partnership Growth Affection and Resolve Index, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised were administered before and after intervention.

Results: Relative to the control group, posttest Family Adaptation Partnership Growth Affection and Resolve Index scores and scores on the intimacy domain were significantly higher in the intervention group, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale-Revised scores and the scores on all subscales except the intrusion subscale were significantly lower in the intervention group.

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that family-support programme represents an effective and feasible support approach of improving family support and reducing depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms for pregnant women with foetal abnormalities requiring pregnancy termination.

Keywords: depression; family support; foetal abnormality; nursing; post-traumatic stress; pregnant women.