Assessment of Mental Health in Women with Recurrent Miscarriages: Psychological Interventions and Support Strategies
1Dr Safia Khan Mandokhail, 2Dr Muhammad Adnan Rashid, 3Marwa Aslam, 4Dr Wajiha Mehwish, 5Umar Khan, 6Dr Muhammad Sami Bilal
1Isra University Islamabad capus, Alnafees Medical College and Hospital
2Designation: Associate Professor, Department: Community Medicine, Institution: Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan 3Mayo Hospital Lahore
4Associate Professor, sialkot Medical College. 5PIMS
6Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, CPSP Karachi
Corresponding: Dr Muhammad Adnan Rashid, Associate Professor, Community Medicine, Institution: Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Vol: 14/02
Received: January 25, 2025 Accepted: February 02, 2025 Published: March 06, 2025
ABSTRACT:
Background: Women who experience recurrent miscarriages often face significant emotional and psychological challenges. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common in this population. While psychological interventions and support strategies are recommended, their effectiveness in this specific context required further exploration.
Aim: The study aimed to assess the mental health status of women with recurrent miscarriages and evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions and support strategies in improving their emotional well-being. Method: This retrospective cohort study included 120 women who experienced two or more consecutive miscarriages. Participants underwent a comprehensive mental health assessment using validated psychological scales, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Interventions included cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), peer support groups, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Outcomes were measured over a six-month period, and changes in mental health scores were analyzed using paired t-tests and regression analysis. Results: The study found that 78% of participants exhibited moderate to severe levels of anxiety and depression before the intervention. Post-intervention assessments revealed a significant reduction in anxiety (mean GAD-7 score decrease of 4.2, p<0.01) and depression (mean BDI score decrease of 5.6, p<0.01). PTSD symptoms, as measured by IES-R, also showed significant improvement (mean score reduction of 6.3, p<0.05). CBT and MBSR were particularly effective in reducing emotional distress, while peer support groups helped improve coping mechanisms and social connectedness. Conclusion: Psychological interventions, particularly CBT and MBSR, were effective in improving the mental health of women with recurrent miscarriages. Peer support further enhanced emotional resilience by fostering a sense of community. The findings underscore the importance of integrating psychological care into the management of recurrent miscarriage to promote overall well-being. Keywords: Recurrent miscarriage, mental health, psychological interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, peer support, anxiety, depression, PTSD.