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 |