STEP-COVID: a pilot study of a prenatal intervention for pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a global increase in psychological distress in pregnant women. This study evaluated the effects of STEP-COVID, a six-session mentalization-based prenatal group program offered online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 100 participants were allocated to STEP-COVID or to the natural trajectory of prenatal care. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included measures of psychological distress, post-traumatic symptoms and positive affectivity. Perception of change during pregnancy on resilience-promoting factors was also assessed at post-intervention. A significant decrease in psychological distress and post-traumatic symptoms and an increase in positive affectivity were observed in participants in the intervention condition, whereas only post-traumatic symptoms improved in the control condition. Women who participated in STEP-COVID also reported greater changes during pregnancy on resilience-promoting factors than women in the control condition. Results hold promise for buffering the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant women using brief online interventions. Clinical trial registration: NCT05419167 (15/06/2022)

Spillover effects on the relationship with the partner of a mentalization‐based intervention for pregnant women

“…When the participant was no longer in a relationship with the partner, the items were answered in relation to the other parent. The five items evaluate satisfaction, communication, ability to confide in the partner, interest toward the partner's feelings and emotional support offered to the partner (see Berthelot et al, 2023). Both the total score and scores at each item were used in the present study.…”

“…The program differed from the original program in that the specific content on childhood adversity was shortened and reworked to be more inclusive, and some activities were adapted to address specific issues related to the pandemic. A preliminary evaluation of STEP-COVID showed that women who participated in the intervention, and not women receiving treatment-as-usual (TAU), showed a significant decrease in psychological distress and a significant increase in positive affectivity over the course of pregnancy (Berthelot et al, 2023). Participants in STEP-COVID also reported significant changes during the program on resilience-promoting factors .…”