Investigating the impact of counseling with an approach based on acceptance and commitment therapy on self-efficacy of choosing vaginal delivery in primigravid women

Background & Aim: Self-efficacy is onechr('39')s belief in successful behavior. According to studies, mothers who have lower self-efficacy find delivery unattainable. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acceptance- and commitment-based counseling on self-efficacy in primiparous women. Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 70 first pregnant women with gestational age of 28-32 weeks referring to health centers in Mashhad. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 35 intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, counseling based on acceptance and commitment approach was held for 4 sessions, one session per week, and in the control group, routine pregnancy care was performed. Data collection tool was demographic-midwifery questionnaire and self-efficacy questionnaire. Self-efficacy was measured in the two groups before intervention in week 28-32. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20) and chi-square and t-test. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Self-efficacy scores after intervention were 126.25±13.67 in the intervention group and 96.27±34.91 in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Counseling with an acceptance- and commitment-based approach during pregnancy increases self-efficacy of natural childbirth in primiparous women.