Table 1 Summary of the findings from the systematic reviews and the theory underpinning the intervention components
| Women’s views on intervention components | Theory | |
|---|---|---|
| Group and individual interventions | ||
| Interventions delivered to groups of pregnant women |
• Able to share experiences • Accessed group support • Reduced feelings of isolation • Helped to normalise women’s experiences |
• Social support °Experiential knowledge °Social learning °Social comparison °Peer support |
| Interventions delivered to individuals |
• Received support from HCPs • Provided reassurance and guidance |
• Therapeutic relationships °Collaborative role theory °Relational continuity °Social influence |
| Intervention components | ||
| Mind-body |
• Provided options and coping strategies for managing anxiety symptoms • Learned breathing and relaxation techniques • Learned to recognise and adapt to anxious thoughts • Felt more positive about the future |
• Awareness, self-regulation and adapted behaviour • Relaxation response |
| Psychological |
• Developed an understanding of the causes of anxiety in their lives and self-awareness of their thought patterns. • Helped women respond in a more positive way to situations and feelings, before negative thought patterns could escalate. | • Cognitive behavioural mechanisms |