The Effectiveness of Group Reality Therapy in Reducing Psychological Stress and State Anxiety Among Pregnant Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study is investigating the level of
psychological stress and state anxiety among pregnant women, and
examining the effectiveness of a group counseling program based on
the reality therapy in reducing psychological stress and state anxiety.
Participants were chosen from the pregnant women visiting
Childhood and Motherhood Center in Ajloun – Urjan District. The
participants totaled (32) pregnant women with a pregnancy period
ranged between (2-7) months. They were divided randomly and
equally; the experimental group of (16) women received the
counseling program based on the reality therapy, and the control
group of (16) women didn’t receive any counseling. The counseling
program consisted of (17) sessions administrated for two months with
two sessions weekly. Pre and post tests were administrated by using
the psychological stress scale and anxiety state scale which were
developed for the purposes of this study. The findings of the study
showed that the pregnant women suffer a high level of psychological
stress and state anxiety. This requires applying the counseling
program. The findings showed that the reality counseling Program
has a significant effect in reducing psychological stress and state
anxiety among pregnant women. Based on the findings of the study
several recommendations were suggested.