Effects of antenatal education on maternal anxiety and depression in pregnancy and postpartum period in Italy: modest and transient symptom reductions
Our results suggest antenatal education classes are modestly effective in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. However, these modest prenatal improvements attenuate after adjustment and do not persist into the postpartum period. This indicates a need for standardized, evidence-based antenatal education that is integrated into broader psychosocial support frameworks.
Authors
- Fiorino Mirabella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8090-9465)
- P. Bagolan
- Flavia Adalgisa Distefano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9004-5437)
- Melania Severo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1929-497X)
- A. Grillo
- Ilaria Adulti
- Angela Eleonora Fabiano
- Martina Smorti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5867-9859)
- Loredana Messina
- Antonella Gigantesco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9262-7756)
- Laura Giusti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0813-1649)
- Damiana Tomasello
- Teresa Grimaldi
- Angelo Marcheggiani
- G. Sani
- Cinzia Niolu
- Alberto Stefana
- Laura Camoni
- Franca Aceti
- A Bellomo
- Gina Barbano
- Giovanna Picciano
- Rita Roncone
- Marianna Marra
- Gemma Calamandrei
- Rossana Riolo
- Alice Fent
- Nicoletta Giacchetti
- Elda Cengia
Institutions
- University of Foggia (IT)
- University of Pisa (IT)
- University of Bergamo (IT)
- University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT)
- Università degli Studi di Enna Kore (IT)
- University of L'Aquila (IT)
- Policlinico Umberto I (IT)
- Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT)
- University of Catania (IT)
- AULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana (IT)
- Ospedale Cristo Re (IT)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Catania (IT)
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IT)
- Consorzio Milano Ricerche (IT)
- Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale ed Alta Specializzazione (IT)
- National Institute of Mental Health (JP)
- Ospedale Buccheri la Ferla Fatebenefratelli (IT)
- National Institute of Mental Health (CZ)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Published
- 2026-02-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1724202
- Primary Topic
- Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00