226 Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci - Vol. 51 - No 3 (2014) ABSTRACT Introduction: Antenatal anxiety and depression occur in approximately 20% of pregnant women with potentially deleterious efects to mother and child. While efective in reducing symptoms, some pregnant women are oten reluctant to take psychotropic medications. We tested the efectiveness of group therapy to provide worry and depression symptom relief. Methods: Women (N=38) in 15-28 weeks of gestation were recruited to antenatal Psychotherapy Groups using either interpersonal or mindfulness based therapy. We collected data at three times, upon intake to and at completion of the group and at four weeks postpartum. Descriptive, Chi-square, and GEE analyses were used to compare depression and worry symptoms with a matched control group of pregnant women (N=68). Limitations: Small sample size in both groups required a matched control group with no randomization. Results: Atending group therapy signiicantly reduced worry and depression symptoms over pregnancy into the postpartum compared to women receiving no therapy. There was no diference in symptom reduction between diferent types of groups atended. Discussion: Engaging pregnant women in group therapy can signiicantly improve worry and depression symptoms, with lasting efects. Address for Correspondence: Angela Bowen, RN, PhD, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Hospital Dr., Saskatoon, SK S7N5E5, Canada angela.bowen@usask.ca INTRODUCTION Depression is the number one cause of disability in women worldwide (1). Approximately 20% of pregnant women experience depression, and this is a particularly vulnerable time for women given the efects of depres- sion not only on themselves, but also on their unborn children (2). he efects of depression, anxiety and worry on the pregnant woman and her unborn baby are an increas- ing concern for women and their care providers. While medications have been shown to decrease depressive symptoms (3, 4), many physicians are oten reticent to prescribe, or under prescribe antidepressant medications. When psychotropic medications are prescribed, women may be reluctant to take them during pregnancy (5). he levels of depression and anxiety symptoms are oten highest at the onset of pregnancy, tending to decrease over the course of the pregnancy and into postpartum (3). his trend in decreasing depression symptoms over the perinatal period is seen regardless of whether or not the symptom scores indicate that the woman meets the criteria for depression or if she is being treated. Some studies also show a rise again in symptoms just before or ater delivery (6, 7). In postpartum, the prevalence of depressive symptoms is highest in the irst three months and then gradually falls over the irst year (6). Diferent types of groups have been used to reduce depression and anxiety in perinatal women. Support groups for new mothers have been found to be efective in reduc- ing, or preventing, postpartum depressive symptoms (8, 9). Women who participate in support groups for postpartum depression report ongoing beneit from the relaxation exercises, skills and the knowledge acquired in the group Antenatal Group Therapy Improves Worry and Depression Symptoms Angela Bowen, RN, PhD, 1 Marilyn Baetz, MD, FRCP, 2 Laura Schwartz, BA, MSc, 1 Lloyd Balbuena, PhD, 2 and Nazeem Muhajarine, PhD 3 1 College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada 2 Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada 3 Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada