The Relationship Between Self-compassion and Depression in Pregnant Women

Depression is the most common psychological disorder during pregnancy. Maternal depression affects the health of the baby. Some psychological techniques, including self-compassion training, are effective in reducing depressive symptoms. This study aims to determine the relationship between self-compassion and depression in pregnant women.

This is a descriptive-correlational study. The study population consists of all pregnant women referred to the comprehensive health centers in Kermanshah, Iran. Sampling was done using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. The data were collected using a demographic form, the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, and the self-compassion scale. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS statistical software, version 26.

Participants were 527 pregnant women. The results of Spearman’s correlation test showed a negative and significant relationship between self-compassion and depression in pregnant women (r=-0.153, P<0.05). According to the results of logistic regression analysis, the components of self-kindness, common humanity, and had a role in predicting depression in pregnant women.

There is a negative and significant relationship between self-compassion and depression in pregnant women; the increase in self-compassion can reduce the depression symptoms. It is recommended that health care workers use the self-compassion training to reduce the depression of pregnant women.