Identification and early intervention of reducing postnatal depression and increasing self-esteem and marital satisfaction of Pregnant Women

Mood disorders are the most common psychological disorders that occur during pregnancy and after. Patients with post-natal depression، experience many challenges in terms of the emotional support from their spouses and children. This condition can be considered as a threat factor for deteriorating psychological health. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy in postpartum depression and increase self-esteem and marital satisfaction of pregnant mothers. For this purpose، in a quasi-experimental study with a control group، 135 depressed pregnant women، of the hospital''s maternity ward of Baghiato-Allah and Najmieh Tehran were assigned into two groups of intervention and control، randomly. The Intervention group received 8 sessions of 40 to 60-minute of psychological training program. The groups were tested in terms of depression، self-esteem and marital satisfaction both before and after the intervention. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that depression in the intervention group has decreased. It appears that with regard to the impact of psychological interventions in reducing postpartum depression، it is better to enter this kind of intervention in the treatment of patients with postpartum depression.