Research Protocol: HAPPY MAMA alias MAMA DON'T STRESS Project

The effects of an intervention on mindfulness and self-efficacy for the reduction of stress in the new-mothers: a pilot randomized field trial

  • Alice Mannocci
  • Azzurra Massimi Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Franca Scaglietta
  • Barbara Dorelli Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Ornella Di Bella Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Michela Scollo Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Sara Ciavardini Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Claudia Scaglione Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Roberta Antico Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Alice De Paula Baer Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Vincenzo Bulzomì Teaching Hospital Casilino, Rome, Italy
  • Giuseppe La Torre Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Keywords: self-efficacy, mindfulness, stress, post-partum, mother-Infant, maternal behavior, maternal parenting stress, mother-infant interaction, maternal support, newborn

Abstract

The present protocol primarily aims at presenting the results of a pilot randomized field trial to assess the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at increasing maternal well-being and self-efficacy, as well as to reduce the stress level of Italian women in the first six months after childbirth.

Women with a gestational age and APGAR scores normal will be recruited. The participants will be randomly divided in three groups: collective intervention, individual intervention and control group. The intervention aims to engage and empower new mothers by strengthening their mindfulness in their parenting skills. The duration of the intervention is 3 hours. The first step is characterized by listening and understanding the critical points from the new mother. The second is to analyze the situation considering the sources of discomfort and emotional distress. The operator will evaluate the strategies implemented by the new mother to face problems and difficulties and apply the theory of the self-efficacy. Finally the summary of the topics discussed and analyzed will be done.

Three previously validated questionnaires will be used to monitor the effect of the intervention, namely: the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale, the Parental Stress Scale, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Online administration will be used to collect the data. The questionnaire will be filled in four times, the first before the intervention and the second three times immediately after the intervention, then after three and six months.

Published
2019-03-31
Issue
Vol 6 No 1 (2019): Volume 6 - Issue 1
Section
Articles