Relationship between cognitive fusion and the state of anxiety and depression in perinatal women

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between cognitive fusion and the state of anxiety and depression of perinatal women and to provide empirical evidences for acceptance and commitment therapy in mental treatment of anxiety and depression in perinatal women. Methods 309 perinatal women collected by cluster random sampling were assessed with self-made general information questionnaire, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)and Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire(CFQ) in predelivery period and 3-7 days after childbirth respectively. Results (1) CFQ scores in the predelivery or postpartum anxiety group ((32.18±10.78), (31.54±10.30))were higher than that in the normal group((21.49±9.56), (20.84±9.82)), and the difference was statistically significant(t=-8.26, -8.22; all P=0.000); CFQ scores in the predelivery or postpartum depression group ((26.74±11.76), (26.84±12.11)) were higher than that in the normal group((23.06±10.33), (21.79±9.90)), and the difference was statistically significant(t=-2.76, -3.71; P=0.006, 0.000). (2)It was found that the predelivery or postpartum CFQ scores were positively associated with the SAS scores of predelivery periods and postpartum periods respectively(r=0.51, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55; P=0.000); the predelivery or postpartum CFQ scores were positively associated with the SDS scores of predelivery periods and postpartum periods respectively (r=0.26, 0.31, 0.21, 0.38; P=0.000). (3) Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were then conducted.The predelivery CFQ had a significant effect on postpartum SAS(ΔR2=0.02, P=0.006)and postpartum SDS respectively(ΔR2=0.02, P=0.006), and the regression equations were statistically significant. Conclusion A function to predict the occurrence of maternal postpartum anxiety and depression is obtained from the cognitive fusion which is attributed to the risk of maternal postpartum anxiety and depression. Key words: Cognitive Fusion; Anxiety; Depression; Perinatal women