Prevention of Emotional Disorders and Symptoms Under Health Conditions: A Pilot Study using the Unified Protocol in a Fertility Unit

Authors

  • Verónica Martínez-Borba Jaume I University, Castellón (Spain)
  • Dr Health Research Institut from Aragón, Zaragoza (Spain); University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza (Spain)
  • Elena Crespo-Delgado Jaume I University, Castellón (Spain); Health Research Institut from Aragón, Zaragoza (Spain)
  • Dra. Jaume I University, Castellón (Spain); Health Research Institut from Aragón, Zaragoza (Spain)
  • Alba Monferrer-Serrano Human Reproduction Unit, General University Hospital of Castellón, Castellón (Spain)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.462331
Keywords: Unified Protocol, Assisted Reproduction Treatment, Group Format, Emotion Regulation, Health Prevention, Emotional Disorders, e-health

Abstract

Emotional Disorders (EDs) are common in women who undergo fertility treatments. The Unified Protocol (UP) is a transdiagnostic intervention that has demonstrated efficacy in preventing EDs under different health conditions. The aim of this pilot study is to: 1) improve emotional dysregulation for the prevention of anxiety and depressive symptoms in women undergoing intrauterine inseminations (IUI); 2) assess their acceptability (e.g., satisfaction and adherence rates). Method: Five women undergoing IUI, with no clinical diagnoses, responded to measures of mood (anxiety and depression), affect, quality of life and emotional dysregulation in the pre- and post-assessments, and at the 1-, 3- and 6-month follow-ups. The UP was adapted to be applied during six face-to-face group sessions lasting 2 h. The COVID-19 pandemic situation implied changing to an online format to end the program. Results: The results showed that women did not develop EDs, and no statistically significant pre-post and pre-follow-up differences were found for anxiety, depression, quality of life and emotional dysregulation (all p > .050). A tendency towards improvement in the post-assessment evaluation was noted. Satisfaction with the format and UP program was high. Conclusions: It would seem that programs focusing on therapeutic common factors like the UP could have an emotional preventive effect during IUI.

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Published
01-01-2022
How to Cite
Martínez-Borba, V., Osma, J., Crespo-Delgado, E., Andreu-Pejo, L., & Monferrer-Serrano, A. (2022). Prevention of Emotional Disorders and Symptoms Under Health Conditions: A Pilot Study using the Unified Protocol in a Fertility Unit. Anales De Psicología Annals of Psychology, 38(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.462331
Issue
Section
Clinical and Health Psychology

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