The Effect of Virtual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Childbirth Self-efficacy of pregnant women: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 Lecturer, Department of Midwifery and reproductive health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 a) Associated Professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran b) Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2025.78195.2333

Abstract

Background & aim: A large number of mothers, despite having high levels of physical fitness and executive skills, have inadequate self-efficacy in choosing natural childbirth. This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual cognitive behavioral therapy on childbirth self-efficacy of pregnant women.
Methods: This pretest-posttest non-randomized quasi-experimental study was conducted on 76 pregnant women with a gestational age of 24-29 weeks, who referred to health centers affiliated to Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. Participant allocated to two intervention and control groups. The virtual cognitive behavioral therapy (VCBT) group received routine pregnancy care and five sessions of 90-minute VCBT training once a week. The control group received only routine pregnancy care. Both groups completed the Louie self-efficacy questionnaire pre and post intervention, and their type of delivery was asked over the phone. The data was analyzed by SPSS statistical software version 25 with ANCOVA, T-Test for correlation, and T independent test.
Results: The main score of childbirth self-efficacy increased by 2.14 points post-intervention compared to pre-intervention in experimental group, which indicated the effectiveness of the cognitive therapy intervention (P<0.001). The mean self-efficacy of childbirth after the intervention in the control group was the same as before (P>0.05). The total effect of cognitive therapy intervention was 0.379.
Conclusion: The results of this research confirmed the effectiveness and efficiency of cognitive therapy in increasing the self-efficacy of pregnant women in adapting to normal delivery. Therefore, using this intervention is suggested as an effective method to prepare for childbirth.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 5344-5354

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