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IRCT20260719070262N1 IRCT 2026-09-18 Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences The Effect of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Counseling Program on the Decision to Continue Pregnancy and Psychological Adaptation to Pregnancy among Pregnant Women Seeking Abortion Investigating the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on changing the decision of pregnant women seeking abortion to continue their pregnancy, acceptance of the maternal role and adaptation to pregnancy 2026-10-10 anticipated 112 Recruiting https://irct.ir/trial/91944 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Not blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Education/Guidance, Randomization description: Participants will be allocated to two groups using block randomization with blocks of six and a 1:1 allocation ratio: an acceptance and commitment therapy-based counseling group (n = 56) and a control group (n = 56). The randomization sequence will be generated using blocks of six by an individual independent of the research team. To ensure allocation concealment, each allocation will be placed separately in an opaque, sealed, light-proof, sequentially numbered envelope, with only one allocation code (A or B) inside each envelope. After eligibility criteria have been confirmed and informed consent has been obtained, the next envelope will be opened in sequential numerical order, and the participant will be assigned to either the intervention or control group according to the allocation code contained in the envelope. N/A unwanted pregnancy. Intervention 1: Intervention group: Group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) delivered in 8 weekly 90-minute sessions, conducted in 6 groups of 8–9 participants, aiming to improve psychological adaptation to pregnancy, maternal role acceptance, and decision-making regarding continuation of pregnancy. The sessions will cover introduction to ACT, acceptance, cognitive defusion, self-as-context, present-moment awareness, values, and committed action. Intervention 2: Control group: Participants will receive routine services provided by Nafas Center, including routine prenatal care and usual psychosocial support. The control group will not receive ACT during the study. No - There is not a plan to make this available Justification or reason for not sharing IPD is Due to the need to maintain the confidentiality of participants' information and the limitations arising from informed consent and ethical considerations of the study, de-identified individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers.
public Shafa Rahmanitabar
Ahvaz, Golestan, Golestan Blvd., Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6166654181 +98 916 619 9850 shafa823@gmail.com Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences scientific Mina Eirvani
Golestan, Golestan Blvd., Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 616664181 +98 916 322 2899 iravani-m@ajums.ac.ir Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences Iran (Islamic Republic of) Iran (Islamic Republic of) Women of reproductive age aged 18 to 48 years gestational age of 4 to 20 weeks confirmed intrauterine pregnancy literacy in reading and writing in Persian provision of written informed consent 18 years 48 years Female Presence of acute psychiatric disorders Presence of medical or obstetric complications Presence of acute pregnancy complications, such as bleeding or threatened abortion Fetal abnormalities Addiction to alcohol, illicit drugs, or other psychotropic substances Occurrence of significant stressful life events, such as the death of a spouse or a family member Concurrent participation in a similar psychotherapy program Failure to complete the study questionnaires Z64.0 Problems related to unwanted pregnancy Treatment - Other Treatment - Other Intervention group: Group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) delivered in 8 weekly 90-minute sessions, conducted in 6 groups of 8–9 participants, aiming to improve psychological adaptation to pregnancy, maternal role acceptance, and decision-making regarding continuation of pregnancy. The sessions will cover introduction to ACT, acceptance, cognitive defusion, self-as-context, present-moment awareness, values, and committed action. Control group: Participants will receive routine services provided by Nafas Center, including routine prenatal care and usual psychosocial support. The control group will not receive ACT during the study. Score of change in the decision of pregnant women seeking abortion to continue the pregnancy and acceptance of pregnancy based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ). Timepoint: Measurement of the score of change in the decision of pregnant women seeking abortion to continue the pregnancy and acceptance of pregnancy using the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) at baseline (pre-test), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions (post-test), and one month after the end of the intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Maternal role acceptance (maternal role identification) score based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Timepoint: Measurement of the score of maternal role acceptance (identification with the maternal role) using the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire at baseline (pre-test), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions (post-test), and one month after the end of the intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Score of relationship with the partner based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Timepoint: Measurement of the score of relationship with the partner using the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire at baseline (pre-test), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions (post-test), and one month after the end of the intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Score of preparation for childbirth based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Timepoint: At baseline (before the start of the intervention), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions, and one month after the end of the intervention. Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Score of sense of control during the childbirth process based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Timepoint: At baseline (before the start of the intervention), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions, and one month after the end of the intervention. Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Score of well-being of self and baby based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Timepoint: At baseline (before the start of the intervention), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions, and one month after the end of the intervention. Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Score of relationship with mother based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Timepoint: At baseline (before the start of the intervention), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions, and one month after the end of the intervention. Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Score of adaptation to pregnancy based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Timepoint: At baseline (before the start of the intervention), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions, and one month after the end of the intervention. Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Score of psychological adaptation to pregnancy based on the Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Timepoint: At baseline (before the start of the intervention), immediately after completion of the 8 intervention sessions, and one month after the end of. Method of measurement: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences Approved 2026-07-25 Ethics Committee of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences Golestan Blvd., Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Ahvaz Khouzestan Iran (Islamic Republic of)