The effectiveness of solution-focused counseling on the mental health of mothers with gestational diabetes under treatment with insulin – A randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of solution-focused counseling on mental health and self-efficacy in women with gestational diabetes.

Methods:

This study was a randomized clinical trial with a parallel design. Fifty-six women with gestational diabetes completed DASS (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale) and DMSES (Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale) in both groups immediately and eight weeks after the last day of the intervention. Solution-focused counseling was performed in six 60-minute sessions for six weeks. The subjects in the control group received routine care. The analytical statistic of t-test, chi-square, and variance analysis with repeated measurements using SPSS were used to analyze the data.

Results:

The mean score of stress was 11.7 ± 9.09 in the posttest and 7.25 ± 6.25 eight weeks after the intervention. Also, scores in the control group were 13.5 ± 7.47 and 13.29 ± 6.99, respectively (P = .00). The mean score of anxiety in the intervention and control groups was 9.93 ± 7.80 vs. 9.64 ± 6.30 immediately after the intervention, and 5.79 ± 4.53 vs. 9.64 ± 5.96 eight weeks after the intervention (P = .00). Diabetes management self-efficacy was significant too (P = .001).

Conclusion:

Solution-focused group counseling improved the mental health of pregnant women with gestational diabetes. This method increased diabetic self-efficacy in these clients by controlling stress and anxiety and decreasing depression.

IRCT: The code of this clinical trial study is IRCT20200202046339N1.

KEYWORDS:

• Depression
• anxiety
• stress
• mental health
• pregnancy
• gestational diabetes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The participants in this study signed the written informed consent forms and the ethical code no. IR.ARAKMU.REC.1398.253 was also received from Arak University of Medical Sciences. Moreover, women had the right to participate or leave the study.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Data are, however, available from the authors upon reasonable request and with the permission of Arak University of Medical Sciences.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Arak University of Medical Sciences under the code: 6001. The funder had a role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and writing the manuscript in our study.

Notes on contributors

Zahra Rafie

Zahra Rafie is a midwife consultant as Msc.

Katayon Vakilian

Katayon Vakilian is associated professor in Reproductive Health.

Maryam Zamanian

Maryam Zamanian is assistant professor in epidemiology.

Hosein Eghbali

Hosein Eghbali is assistant professor Clinical psychology.