Volume 23, Issue 2 (Pajouhan Scientific Journal, Spring 2025)
Pajouhan Sci J 2025, 23(2): 157-168 |
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Research code: 4000645
Ethics code: IR.MUMS.NURSE.REC.1402.056
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Rahimi M, Hakami Shalamzari K, Yas A, Salarfard M, Karimi F Z. Effect of Counseling on Maternal-Fetal Attachment in Unwanted Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Pajouhan Sci J 2025; 23 (2) :157-168
URL: http://psj.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-1140-en.html
URL: http://psj.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-1140-en.html
Masumeh Rahimi1 
, Kowsar Hakami Shalamzari2 
, Atefeh Yas3 , Mahla Salarfard1 , Fatemeh Zahra Karimi *4
, Kowsar Hakami Shalamzari2 , Atefeh Yas3 , Mahla Salarfard1 , Fatemeh Zahra Karimi *4
1- Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
2- Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
3- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
4- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University Medical of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,karimifz@mums.ac.ir
2- Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
3- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
4- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University Medical of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,
Abstract: (853 Views)
Background and Objectives: Women with an unwanted pregnancies experience a high level of anxiety, which can adversely affect mother-fetal attachment and positive interactions. Due to the importance of the issue and the lack of systematic review in this field, this systematic review aimed to examine the impact of supportive interventions on mother-fetus attachment in unwanted pregnancies.
Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). In this review, the databases searched included Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Magiran, PsycInfo, ScienceDirect, ClinicalKey, SID, and Iran Medex, with no time limit applied until December 2024. The aim was to identify clinical trial studies that reported the effects of counseling and support interventions on maternal-fetal attachment in unintended pregnancies compared to usual prenatal care. The key terms used were counseling, education, psychological intervention, mother-fetus attachment, unplanned pregnancy, and unwanted pregnancy. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Jadad scale.
Results: Of the 173 articles retrieved in the initial search, eight studies involving a total of 602 women were included in the systematic review. The supportive interventions reported in the articles included: two cases of midwifery counseling using a cognitive-behavioral approach, two cases of relaxation with guided imagery, one case of self-compassion, one case of attachment skills training, and two cases of attachment-based group counseling. Analysis of the results from the retrieved studies showed that counseling interventions increase mother-fetus attachment in unintended pregnancies compared to mothers in the control group who received routine prenatal care.
Conclusion: Supportive and counseling interventions that utilize educational and counseling models can enhance maternal-fetal attachment in women with unwanted pregnancies. Therefore, it is recommended to implement these methods alongside routine pregnancy care for these women.
Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). In this review, the databases searched included Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Magiran, PsycInfo, ScienceDirect, ClinicalKey, SID, and Iran Medex, with no time limit applied until December 2024. The aim was to identify clinical trial studies that reported the effects of counseling and support interventions on maternal-fetal attachment in unintended pregnancies compared to usual prenatal care. The key terms used were counseling, education, psychological intervention, mother-fetus attachment, unplanned pregnancy, and unwanted pregnancy. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Jadad scale.
Results: Of the 173 articles retrieved in the initial search, eight studies involving a total of 602 women were included in the systematic review. The supportive interventions reported in the articles included: two cases of midwifery counseling using a cognitive-behavioral approach, two cases of relaxation with guided imagery, one case of self-compassion, one case of attachment skills training, and two cases of attachment-based group counseling. Analysis of the results from the retrieved studies showed that counseling interventions increase mother-fetus attachment in unintended pregnancies compared to mothers in the control group who received routine prenatal care.
Conclusion: Supportive and counseling interventions that utilize educational and counseling models can enhance maternal-fetal attachment in women with unwanted pregnancies. Therefore, it is recommended to implement these methods alongside routine pregnancy care for these women.
Keywords: Maternal-fetal attachment, Psychological intervention, Unwanted pregnancy, Systematic review
Type of Study: Systematic Review Article |
Subject:
Psychology and Psychiatry
Received: 2024/12/7 | Accepted: 2025/04/28 | Published: 2025/06/21
Received: 2024/12/7 | Accepted: 2025/04/28 | Published: 2025/06/21
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