An anchor in the storm: the effectiveness of a flexible perspective-taking intervention in supporting the transition to motherhood

INTERVENTION: Mothers in the intervention group will be given access to online resources specifically designed for use in this study: (i) a brief web‐based informational video (approx. 7 mins) that begins with a psychoeducation component on flexible perspective taking (self‐as‐context, a component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [ACT]) and relevance to mothers of infants (from birth to 23 months), drawing on ACT methaphors for enhancing a transcndent sense of self; (ii) an audio‐guided experiential exercise on flexible perspective taking tailored to pregnant and new mothers (approx. 9 mins), which women will be encouraged to listen to and use to guide their own meditation practice; and (iii) a simple tip sheet (designed specifically for this study) summarising key points that will be made available to participants to download and print. Resource use will be monitored using website analytics. Particpants will have access to the resources for the full duration of the study and extending to 12 months from the time of enrolment. CONDITION: Mental Health ‐ Anxiety Mental Health ‐ Depression Mental Health ‐ Other mental health disorders Mental health among mothers of infants;Alcohol use in pregnancy; ; Mental health among mothers of infants ; Alcohol use in pregnancy Reproductive Health and Childbirth ‐ Childbirth and postnatal care PRIMARY OUTCOME: Anxiety symptoms, as measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales[6 weeks and 4 months post expected date of delivery] Depressive symptoms, as measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales[6 weeks and 4 months post expected date of delivery] Post‐traumatic stress symptoms, as measured using the Impact of Event Scale ‐ Revised[6 weeks and 4 months post expected date of delivery] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Acceptability of the intervention, as indicated by a series of items (Likert scales, open‐ended questions) developed for use in this study[6 weeks post expected date of delivery] Alcohol consumption as assessed using the Alcohol Use and Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT‐C)[6 weeks and 4 months post expected date of delivery] Birth satisfaction, as measured using the Perception of Labour and Delivery Scale[6 weeks post expected date of delivery] Breastfeeding satisfaction, as measured using the Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale[6 weeks and 4 months post expected date of delivery] Emotional availability, as assessed on the Emotional Availability ‐ Self‐Report[4 months post expected date of delivery] Feasibility of the intervention, as indicated by rate of participant recruitment and particpant retention (assessed via data from participant tracking database)[At study completion] Psychological flexibility, as measured using the CompACT[6 weeks and 4 months post expected date of delivery] Self‐as‐context, as measured using the Self‐As‐Context Scale[6 weeks and 4 months post expected date of delivery] Stress symptoms, as measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales[6 weeks and 4 months post expected date of delivery] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants will be women aged 18 years and over, who are currently at least 20 weeks pregnant, and living in Australia or New Zealand.