Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment group therapy on postpartum depression and psychological flexibility

Abstract

Background and aims: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common and disabling psychosocial disorder that it suffers 10% to 15% women during the first year after delivery. PPD is a public health problem with negative consequences for both mother and infant. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment group therapy on postpartum depression and its effect on psychological flexibility. Methods: The current study was a clinical trial on 32 women who refereed to Gynecology Clinic in Isfahan, Iran. Participants were randomly divided in two groups of experiment and control, 16 women in each group. The instruments of research included Beck depression inventory, Edinburgh postpartum depression inventory and Acceptance and Action questionnaires. These were completed by both groups in three stages: Pre-test, post-test and the follow up stage after a 2- month intervention. Interventions were conducted in 8 sessions, 2 hours in a week. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures. Results: The results showed that Acceptance and commitment therapy, was significantly reduced the rate of depression and increased the psychological flexibility, compared with the control group (P=0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, use of this therapy approach is recommended by clinical psychology specialists to women with PPD.

Keywords

• acceptance and commitment therapy
• postpartum depression
• psychological flexibility.