Targeting emotion in the perinatal period: a systematic review of emotion-focused and emotion regulation-based interventions


Kaya Yildirim I., DİRİK G.

PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH, 2025 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/08870446.2025.2572474
  • Dergi Adı: PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), MEDLINE, Psycinfo, SportDiscus
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Pregnancy and postpartum, perinatal emotional difficulties, perinatal mental health, psychological interventions, emotion regulation
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to examine psychological interventions that target emotion regulation and broader emotional processes in the perinatal period, to bring together existing evidence, and to provide a comprehensive perspective on how these interventions address women's emotional challenges during pregnancy and the postpartum year.Methods and MeasuresFollowing PRISMA 2020, 2,950 records were screened, 89 full texts assessed, and 11 studies (randomised controlled and quasi-experimental) were included. Eligible studies involved perinatal women, evaluated interventions with an explicit emotional focus, and reported validated outcomes on emotion regulation, affect, anxiety, or depression.ResultsEleven studies were identified, including interventions such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Unified Protocol, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and self-compassion-based writing. Most reported significant improvements in emotion regulation and reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms. For example, Agako et al. (2023) reported a large effect on emotion regulation (d = 1.5). Across studies, effects were generally in the moderate-to-large range.ConclusionEmotion-focused and emotion regulation-based interventions in the perinatal period show promising potential for enhancing women's emotional functioning and well-being. Findings highlight the importance of integrating emotion regulation-based approaches into perinatal psychological support programs, though limitations of existing studies warrant cautious interpretation.