Targeting emotion in the perinatal period: a systematic review of emotion-focused and emotion regulation-based interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to examine psychological interventions that target emotion regulation and broader emotional processes in the perinatal period, to bring together existing evidence, and to provide a comprehensive perspective on how these interventions address women's emotional challenges during pregnancy and the postpartum year.

METHODS AND MEASURES: Following PRISMA 2020, 2,950 records were screened, 89 full texts assessed, and 11 studies (randomised controlled and quasi-experimental) were included. Eligible studies involved perinatal women, evaluated interventions with an explicit emotional focus, and reported validated outcomes on emotion regulation, affect, anxiety, or depression.

RESULTS

Eleven studies were identified, including interventions such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Unified Protocol, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and self-compassion-based writing. Most reported significant improvements in emotion regulation and reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms. For example, Agako et al. (2023) reported a large effect on emotion regulation (d = 1.5). Across studies, effects were generally in the moderate-to-large range.

CONCLUSION

Emotion-focused and emotion regulation-based interventions in the perinatal period show promising potential for enhancing women's emotional functioning and well-being. Findings highlight the importance of integrating emotion regulation-based approaches into perinatal psychological support programs, though limitations of existing studies warrant cautious interpretation.