Snyder’s Hope Theory-based psychological intervention on post-traumatic growth in Chinese women experiencing perinatal loss

ISRCTN	ISRCTN63605661
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN63605661
Sponsor	Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital
Funder	Health Commission of Chengdu Municipality

Submission date: 25/02/2026
Registration date: 28/02/2026
Last edited: 27/02/2026

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Mental and Behavioural Disorders

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Shaochuan Chen
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator

No 1617 of Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District
Chengdu
611731
China

Phone	+86 (0)18581553237
Email	chen_shaochuan25@163.com

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Allocation	Randomized controlled trial
Masking	Blinded (masking used)
Control	Active
Assignment	Parallel
Purpose	Supportive care
Scientific title	The effect of Snyder’s Hope Theory-based psychological intervention on post-traumatic growth in Chinese women experiencing perinatal loss
Study objectives	This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological intervention based on Snyder's Hope Theory in promoting post-traumatic growth (PTG) among women who experienced perinatal loss.
Ethics approval(s)	Approved 01/10/2023, Ethics Committee of Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital (No 1617 of Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 611731, China; +86 (0)28 61866015; lunliwyh@163.com), ref: KYLS2024(83)
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Post-traumatic growth in women experiencing perinatal loss
Intervention	Participants are randomly allocated to the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio using computer-generated random numbers. Allocation concealment is ensured through the use of sequentially numbered, opaque and sealed envelopes prepared by an independent researcher. Control group: The control group will receive standard care comprising: 1. Explanation of medical reasons for perinatal loss 2. Procedural information about hospitalization and discharge 3. Postpartum recovery education 4. Routine 1-month follow-up appointment Psychological support is limited to brief emotional validation and referral information if requested. Intervention group: In addition to standard care, the intervention group will receive the Snyder Hope Theory-based intervention program. The program development will follow a systematic process including: 1. Literature review of hope theory applications and perinatal loss interventions 2. Expert consultation with psychologists, obstetricians, and grief counselors 3. Focus groups with women who had experienced perinatal loss 4. Pilot testing with 10 participants for feasibility refinement The final intervention will consist of four weekly individual sessions (30-60 minutes each) delivered by trained psychological counselors with certification in grief counseling. Session content is structured around hope theory's core components: Session 1 - Hope Instillation and Goal Setting (Week 1): This initial session will focus on establishing therapeutic rapport and introducing hope concepts. Session 2 - Pathway Thinking Development (Week 2): Building on identified goals, this session will emphasize generating multiple pathways toward goal achievement. Session 3 - Agency Enhancement (Week 3): This session will target motivation and self-efficacy beliefs. Session 4 - Integration and Future Orientation (Week 4): The final session will consolidate learning and prepare for autonomous hope maintenance.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	Post-traumatic growth measured using Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (C-PTGI) at T0 (baseline, within 1 week post-loss), T1 (immediately post-intervention/4 weeks post-loss), and T2 (follow-up/8 weeks post-loss)
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	Grief following perinatal loss measured using Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) at T0 (baseline, within 1 week post-loss), T1 (immediately post-intervention/4 weeks post-loss), and T2 (follow-up/8 weeks post-loss) Hope measured using Herth Hope Index (HHI) at T0 (baseline, within 1 week post-loss), T1 (immediately post-intervention/4 weeks post-loss), and T2 (follow-up/8 weeks post-loss) Post-traumatic stress symptoms measured using Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) at T0 (baseline, within 1 week post-loss), T1 (immediately post-intervention/4 weeks post-loss), and T2 (follow-up/8 weeks post-loss)
Completion date	12/09/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	20 Years
Upper age limit	60 Years
Sex	Female
Target sample size at registration	140
Total final enrolment	140
Key inclusion criteria	1. Pregnancy ≥20 weeks terminated due to confirmed foetal anomalies or foetal death or neonatal death within 28 days postpartum 2. Age ≥20 years 3. Ability to read and understand Chinese 4. No psychological treatment during pregnancy 5. Absence of severe pregnancy complications (e.g., heart failure or severe preeclampsia) 6. Voluntary participation with written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria	1. History of psychiatric disorders or current psychological treatment 2. Previous experiences of foetal anomaly, stillbirth or neonatal death 3. Cognitive impairment affecting comprehension of intervention content 4. Ongoing substance abuse
Date of first enrolment	16/10/2023
Date of final enrolment	30/05/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

China

Study participating centres

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not expected to be made available
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

25/02/2026: Study's existence confirmed by the Ethics Committee of Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital.