Raluca ANTON* & Daniel DAVID
Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) in the prevention of emotional distress during pregnancy and the immediate period after giving birth. The participants were randomly assigned to either 9 weeks of REBT preventive program or community care group. The outcome measures used were: a. The Profile of Mood States-Short Version – POMS-SV; b. Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II); and c. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAIx1 – state and STAIx2 – trait). Results show a larger effect of REBT over community care regarding to negative emotionality (t(18)=19.445, p=.000), d=1.00), depression (t(18)=6.329, p=.000) d=.99), and anxiety (t(18)=9.856, p=.000), d=.95), all three measured post intervention (prepartum). Postpartum (3 months after giving birth), the results were maintained for negative emotionality and anxiety.
Keywords: depression; anxiety; negative emotionality; prepartum; postpartum; rational emotive behavior therapy; efficacy/outcome study.
