The effect of a prenatal hypnotherapeutic programme on postnatal maternal psychological well‐being

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a prenatal hypnotherapeutic programme on the postnatal psychological well‐being of first‐time mothers. The developed programme integrated principles from developmental psychology, Ericksonian and ego state therapy, and from positive psychology. Results indicated that the experimental group (n = 23) showed a significant improvement on most measures of psychological well‐being at two weeks postpartum, while the psychological well‐being of the comparison group (n = 23) remained unchanged. At ten weeks postpartum mothers in the experimental group showed significantly less general symptoms of psychopathology and less depression. These results suggest that the hypnotherapeutic programme focussing on the enhancement of strengths contributed to the enhancement of psychological well‐being and alleviation of depression of first‐time mothers.

Notes

1. This article is based on a doctoral thesis of the first author, completed at North‐West University, Potchefstroom Campus, under supervision of the second and third authors.