A systematic literature review of meaning-oriented resilience as a coping process for pregnancy anxiety and maternal well-being
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35335/midwifery.v13i6.2267Keywords:
Maternal Well-Being, Meaning-Making , Pregnancy Anxiety, Psychological Resilience, Spiritual CopingAbstract
Pregnancy involves profound physiological and psychosocial changes that increase vulnerability to stress and anxiety. Psychological resilience has been widely recognized as a protective factor for maternal mental health; however, existing research has largely emphasized functional outcomes, with limited attention to meaning-oriented coping processes underlying maternal adaptation. This systematic literature review aimed to synthesize empirical and conceptual evidence on meaning-oriented resilience in relation to pregnancy anxiety and maternal well-being. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, systematic searches were conducted in Scopus and Google Scholar, yielding 26 eligible studies analyzed through theory-driven thematic synthesis. The findings indicate that psychological resilience operates as a dynamic coping process that reduces prenatal anxiety and supports emotional regulation and adjustment. Religious and spiritual coping consistently emerged as meaning-oriented mechanisms that strengthen resilience by enabling pregnant women to interpret pregnancy experiences within value-based and existential frameworks. Conceptual evidence suggests that ṣabr represents an active form of meaning-oriented resilience characterized by emotional regulation, endurance, and value-driven perseverance. While most studies focused on symptom reduction, emerging evidence highlights the role of resilience and spirituality in promoting holistic maternal well-being. This review advances a meaning-oriented framework of maternal resilience integrating psychological and Islamic perspectives and supports the incorporation of meaning-based and culturally sensitive approaches within midwifery care to enhance maternal mental health during pregnancy.
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