Effect of Supportive Counseling Based on Swanson's Caring Theory on the Quality of Life of Pregnant Women With A History of Abortion: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Abortion is one of the most traumatic events in a woman's life. The resulting trauma leads to the fear of repeat abortion, despair, inability, reduced self-confidence, isolation, mental health problems, and reduced quality of life (QoL). The present study aims to determine the effect of supportive counseling on the QoL of pregnant women with a history of abortion.

This is randomized controlled trial study. Participants were 72 pregnant women with a history of abortion referred to comprehensive health centers in Isfahan, Iran to receive prenatal care. The data collection instruments were a demographic form and the 36-item short form health survey. The intervention group received counseling based on Swanson’s caring theory at three sessions (two face-to-face counseling sessions and one telephone counseling session), while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected  in three phases (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up), and analyzed using chi-square test, paired t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance, t-test, and two-way repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS software, version 25.

Both groups were similar in demographic characteristics and QoL before the intervention (P>0.05). Four and 8 weeks after the intervention, the mean score of QoL was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.05). Eight weeks after the intervention, the QoL score was higher than in the control group in dimensions of physical functioning (P=0.009), social functioning (P=0.039), role-emotional (P=0.004), and bodily pain (P=0.004).

Supportive counseling based on Swanson’s caring theory, as a midwife-centered intervention, can improve the QoL pregnant women with a history of abortion. This approach can be used in providing care to the pregnant women with a history of abortion.