Anxiety, depression, and stress in pregnancy are risk factors for adverse outcomes for mothers and children (Glover, 2014). There is good evidence showing a decrease in psychological distress when pregnant women participate in interventions comprising mindfulness and self-compassion practices (Dunn et al., 2012). However, there are few studies on the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological distress variables in pregnancy, without being within the scope of intervention trials (Cohen, 2010; Zoeterman, 2014).

To explore the association between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological distress/PD in pregnant women.

Four hundred and twenty-seven pregnant women (mean age: 32.56 ± 4.785 years) in their second trimester of pregnancy (17.34 ± 4.790 weeks of gestation) completed the Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire-10 (FMQ-10; Azevedo et al., 2015; to evaluate Non-udging of experience/NJ, acting with awareness/AA and observing and describing), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Bento et al., 2015; to evaluate self-kindness/SK, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness and over-identification) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21; Xavier et al., 2015). Only variables significantly correlated with the outcomes (Total DASS-21, Stress, Anxiety and Depression) were entered in the multiple regression models.

FMQ-10 and SCS Total scores were both significant predictors of DASS-21 (B = –.335,–.296). Stress predictors were NJ, AA, SK and isolation (B = –.164;–.196;–.087; .353); Anxiety predictors were NJ, SK and isolation (B = –.198;–.124; .268); depression predictors were NJ, SK and Isolation (B = –.277;–.128; .232) (all P < .01).

Mindfulness and self-compassion dimensions, particularly non-udging of experience and self-Kindness are protective for PD in pregnancy. Isolation is a correlate of PD in pregnancy.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.