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Papers by Robyn Brunton

Journal of Affective Disorders

Assessment

Pregnancy-related anxiety has been linked to many maternal and child-related negative outcomes. H... more Pregnancy-related anxiety has been linked to many maternal and child-related negative outcomes. However, there is an absence of free, well-validated screeners for this condition. The Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale–Screener (PrAS-Screener) was evaluated using robust Rasch methodology. This study also aimed to develop a shorter version to meet the need of settings governed by professional guidelines stipulating the use of brief instruments. Data from 400 pregnant women ( Mage = 27.82, SD = 5.38) were subjected to Rasch analyses and the resulting Rasch models confirmed in a second sample ( N = 400, Mage = 26.29, SD = 4.95). After minor modifications, the original 15-item PrAS-Screener demonstrated good fit, unidimensionality, excellent targeting, invariance, and internal consistency. After removal of items with content overlap, an 11-item version was developed, with this version showing good fit, unidimensionality, reasonable targeting, and sound internal consistency. The PrAS-Screene...

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology

There is growing demand for online learning activities that offer flexibility for students to stu... more There is growing demand for online learning activities that offer flexibility for students to study anywhere, anytime, as online students fit study around work and family commitments. We designed a series of online activities and evaluated how, where, and with what devices students used the activities, as well as their levels of engagement and deep learning with the activities. A mixed-methods design was used to explore students’ interactions with the online activities. This method integrated learning analytics data with responses from 63 survey, nine interview, and 16 focus group participants. We found that students used a combination of mobile devices to access the online learning activities across a variety of locations during opportunistic study sessions in order to fit study into their daily routines. The online activities were perceived positively, facilitating affective, cognitive, and behavioural engagement as well as stimulating deep learning. Activities that were authentic...

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology

Discussion forums are often touted as maximising student participation and learning but concerns ... more Discussion forums are often touted as maximising student participation and learning but concerns around engagement counter any perceived benefits. Often participation is the measure of engagement, and students who do not post are deemed unengaged. To further examine engagement and forums as learning communities, we used analytic data from 270 students enrolled in two online psychology subjects using social network analysis and interviewed 22 students. Both subjects’ forums had greater egalitarian triads, indicative of reciprocal relationships. Furthermore, both active posters and lurkers had a mix of grade bands indicating that some lurkers still achieved academically. Lurking was a key qualitative theme along with checking for assessment information and intimidation. For both subjects, students were engaged with the forums, and differences in connectivity were consistent with the different subject content. However, forum activity indicated that these forums were more like subscript...

Psychological Assessment, 2022

Pregnancy-related anxiety, a distinct anxiety characterized by pregnancy-specific concerns, has c... more Pregnancy-related anxiety, a distinct anxiety characterized by pregnancy-specific concerns, has consistently been associated with adverse birth outcomes and obstetric and pediatric risk factors. Despite this, widespread screening for pregnancy-related anxiety has not been integrated into routine antenatal care likely due to the absence of a psychometrically sound screener. This study reports on the initial development of a brief screener derived from the 32-item pregnancy-related anxiety scale (PrAS). Three datasets (comprising pregnant women recruited online) were utilized in the development and evaluation of the PrAS screener (PrAS-Screener). Dataset one (N = 1,084) was used to derive two potential screeners from the PrAS using principal axis factoring (PAF). The factor structure of the models was evaluated using PAF and model fit assessed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using datasets two (N = 638) and three (N = 581). The model comprised 15 items and five subscales was selected as the superior model. The selected model (i.e., PrAS-Screener) was evaluated for convergent and discriminant validity demonstrating higher correlations with similar measures and lower correlations with dissimilar measures and high internal consistency reliability (α = .93). The PrAS-Screener assesses the three core areas of pregnancy-related anxiety (childbirth, body image, baby concerns) but has the advantage of also assessing anxiety symptoms and medical staff concerns, an area integral to providing optimal antenatal care through trusted relationships with clinicians. Initial evidence indicates that the PrAS-Screener is promising as a brief and easy-to-administer screener suitable for use in routine antenatal care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Australian Psychologist, 2018

Objective Pregnancy‐related anxiety has been identified as a distinct anxiety associated with adv... more Objective Pregnancy‐related anxiety has been identified as a distinct anxiety associated with adverse outcomes. This partial replication of the seminal study which demonstrated pregnancy‐related anxiety and measures of state/trait anxiety and depression shared little variance, provides additional empirical support for this anxiety type. In addition, the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) was examined together with the contributing role of neuroticism. Method Pregnant women were recruited online (n = 202, Mage = 25.0, SD = 4.9), and completed the Pregnancy‐Related Anxiety Questionnaire‐Revised (PRAQ‐R2), PASS, Edinburgh Depression Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the International Personality Item Pool Neuroticism scale. Results There were small to very large correlations between all main variables. Large correlations between the predictors (anxiety, depression, neuroticism) indicated multicollinearity resulting in the exclusion of neuroticism. Multiple regression confirmed that the PRAQ‐R2 shared little variance with measures of anxiety and depression. By contrast, the PASS shared large proportions of variance with measures of anxiety. Conclusions The findings in relation to the PRAQ‐R2 support the proposition that pregnancy‐related anxiety is a distinct anxiety type. However, given the significant proportion of variance the PASS shares with anxiety/depression, the PASS is better suited for screening anxiety disorder symptomology but less suitable as a measure of pregnancy‐related anxiety. Limitations included a sample size that was not sufficient to enable stratification. Further, given that the PRAQ‐R2 assesses only some of the core pregnancy‐related anxieties, use of a more comprehensive scale of pregnancy‐related anxiety is needed for an accurate assessment. Clinical implications include the possibility that some women with elevated pregnancy‐related anxiety may be overlooked using existing measures. Given the reported prevalence and adverse outcomes, a psychometrically sound measure for pregnancy‐related anxiety may afford valuable intervention opportunities.

Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, Jan 30, 2018

Pregnancy-related anxiety is a distinct anxiety characterised by pregnancy-specific concerns. Thi... more Pregnancy-related anxiety is a distinct anxiety characterised by pregnancy-specific concerns. This anxiety is consistently associated with adverse birth outcomes, and obstetric and paediatric risk factors, associations generally not seen with other anxieties. The need exists for a psychometrically sound scale for this anxiety type. This study, therefore, reports on the initial development of the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale. The item pool was developed following a literature review and the formulation of a definition for pregnancy-related anxiety. An Expert Review Panel reviewed the definition, item pool and test specifications. Pregnant women were recruited online (N=671). Using a subsample (N=262, M=27.94, SD=4.99), fourteen factors were extracted using Principal Components Analysis accounting for 63.18% of the variance. Further refinement resulted in 11 distinct factors. Confirmatory Factor Analysis further tested the model with a second subsample (N=369, M=26.59, SD=4.76). Af...

Journal of affective disorders, Aug 27, 2018

Pregnancy-related anxiety is increasingly recognised as a common condition that is associated wit... more Pregnancy-related anxiety is increasingly recognised as a common condition that is associated with many deleterious outcomes for both the mother and infant (e.g., preterm birth, postnatal depression). Limitations in the psychometric properties and/or breadth of existing scales for pregnancy-related anxiety highlight the need for a psychometrically sound measure to facilitate effective screening and possible early interventions. The recently developed Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale (PrAS) was evaluated using Rasch analysis to explore how the scale's psychometric properties could be fine-tuned. A sample of 497 pregnant women completed the PrAS. Data were subjected to Rasch analysis, and the resulting scale structure examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. After minor modifications, the Rasch model with 33-items and 8-factors demonstrated good fit, unidimensionality and excellent targeting and internal consistency. Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed the final structure, a...

Educational Gerontology, 2015

ABSTRACT Ageing anxiety is the expression of peoples’ fear of ageing (Lynch, 200020. Lynch, S. M.... more ABSTRACT Ageing anxiety is the expression of peoples’ fear of ageing (Lynch, 200020. Lynch, S. M. (2000). Measurement and prediction of aging anxiety. Research on Aging, 22(5), 533.View all references). Despite greater longevity in the population, there is a lack of research into this aspect of life (Lasher & Faulkender, 199316. Lasher, K. P. & Faulkender, P. J. (1993). Measurement of aging anxiety: Development of the Anxiety about Aging Scale. The International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 37(4), 247-259.View all references). This research explored fears of ageing across four dimensions: Fear of Old People, Physical Appearance, Psychological Concerns, and Fear of Losses. Three hundred and forty eight participants aged 18 − 88 participated in an online survey. Findings were: (1) men and women have different fears of ageing; (2) greater quality contact is related to less ageing anxiety; (3) poor health is related to greater ageing anxiety, (4) ageism, defined by Nelson (200527. Nelson, T. D. (2005). Ageism: Prejudice against our feared future self. Journal of Social Issues, 61(2), 207-221.View all references) as prejudice toward ageing is positively correlated with ageing anxiety. The implications of these findings are that better quality contact and more positive attitudes toward ageing are associated with less ageing anxiety. As such, possible key target areas in developing appropriate interventions are provided, with hope to prepare adults of all ages for the inevitable - life is a terminal illness, so enjoy while you can.

Journal of affective disorders, Jan 28, 2015

Depression in pregnancy is a serious health issue; however, anxiety in pregnancy, with a reported... more Depression in pregnancy is a serious health issue; however, anxiety in pregnancy, with a reported higher prevalence, may also be a serious issue. Anxiety symptoms in pregnancy can relate to several anxiety types, such as general anxiety, anxiety disorders, and pregnancy-related anxiety (PrA), anxiety characterised by pregnancy specific fears and worries. Awareness of these distinctions however, is not always widespread. Both general anxiety and PrA are associated with maternal negative outcomes (e.g. increased nausea) however; PrA is more often associated with negative outcomes for the child (e.g. preterm birth). Furthermore, PrA is potentially a risk factor for postnatal depression with assessment of PrA potentially affording important intervention opportunities. Currently several different instruments are used for PrA however their psychometric properties are unclear. To our knowledge a review of current instruments and their psychometric properties is lacking, this paper aims to ...

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2020

BACKGROUND During pregnancy, women are vulnerable to mood and anxiety disorders due to the signif... more BACKGROUND During pregnancy, women are vulnerable to mood and anxiety disorders due to the significant physical and emotional changes that occur during this period. For some women, pregnancy can also present as a period of immense body dissatisfaction due to the substantial changes in body shape and size. OBJECTIVES This study examined the mediating role of Fat Talk (i.e., engaging in disparaging comments about one's body shape and size with others) in the relationship between (a) body dissatisfaction and distress in pregnant women (i.e., pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology), and (b) sociocultural pressure to meet the thin ideal and distress. METHOD A nonclinical sample of 408 pregnant women (Mage = 28.24 years, SDage = 5.04, range 18-44 years) completed measures of body dissatisfaction, sociocultural pressure, pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology. FINDINGS Analyses confirmed the partial mediating role of Fat Talk between body dissatisfaction and all three measures of distress, when examined individually. Fat Talk also mediated the relationship between sociocultural pressure (i.e., peers/family and media) and the three measures of distress. Age also partially mediated the relationship between body dissatisfaction and a composite measure of pregnancy distress. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that women face sociocultural pressures for thinness and body dissatisfaction even when pregnant, and that engaging in Fat Talk contribute to greater levels of pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology. The role of Fat Talk in regard to pregnancy distress may be more pertinent to younger women.

BACKGROUND Increasingly pregnancy-related anxiety is acknowledged as a distinct anxiety type, cha... more BACKGROUND Increasingly pregnancy-related anxiety is acknowledged as a distinct anxiety type, characterised by specific fears/worries. The Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale (PrAS) screens for this distinct anxiety and refinements to the scale have prompted further validity examination. This study aims to: replicate findings that distinguished pregnancy-related anxiety from general anxiety/depression using the PrAS; confirm the PrAS's factor structure, and examine the validity of the PrAS subscales: Acceptance of Pregnancy, Avoidance and Worry About Self. METHODS Pregnant women (N = 608) were recruited online and completed the PrAS, Pregnancy Acceptance Questionnaire, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Cambridge Worry Scale, Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Edinburgh Depression Scale. RESULTS Multiple regression analysis confirmed general anxiety/depression contributed little to the PrAS's variance, supporting the scale's validity and di...

Pregnancy-Related Anxiety

Pregnancy-Related Anxiety

Social Science & Medicine

Journal of Health Psychology

Physical, sexual and psychological abuse were examined as risk factors for pregnancy-related anxi... more Physical, sexual and psychological abuse were examined as risk factors for pregnancy-related anxiety with resilience and social support as mediators. Pregnant women ( n = 638) completed measures of pregnancy-related anxiety, resilience, perceived social support and childhood abuse. Women with an abuse history had higher pregnancy-related anxiety scores ( m = 64.40) than other women ( m = 55.36). All abuse types independently predicted pregnancy-related anxiety; resilience and social support were mediators. Results highlight the value of antenatal screening for pregnancy-related anxiety including specific risk factors such as child abuse. Programs such as the Midwife Continuity of Care are useful in encouraging disclosure.

Journal of Affective Disorders

Assessment

Pregnancy-related anxiety has been linked to many maternal and child-related negative outcomes. H... more Pregnancy-related anxiety has been linked to many maternal and child-related negative outcomes. However, there is an absence of free, well-validated screeners for this condition. The Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale–Screener (PrAS-Screener) was evaluated using robust Rasch methodology. This study also aimed to develop a shorter version to meet the need of settings governed by professional guidelines stipulating the use of brief instruments. Data from 400 pregnant women ( Mage = 27.82, SD = 5.38) were subjected to Rasch analyses and the resulting Rasch models confirmed in a second sample ( N = 400, Mage = 26.29, SD = 4.95). After minor modifications, the original 15-item PrAS-Screener demonstrated good fit, unidimensionality, excellent targeting, invariance, and internal consistency. After removal of items with content overlap, an 11-item version was developed, with this version showing good fit, unidimensionality, reasonable targeting, and sound internal consistency. The PrAS-Screene...

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology

There is growing demand for online learning activities that offer flexibility for students to stu... more There is growing demand for online learning activities that offer flexibility for students to study anywhere, anytime, as online students fit study around work and family commitments. We designed a series of online activities and evaluated how, where, and with what devices students used the activities, as well as their levels of engagement and deep learning with the activities. A mixed-methods design was used to explore students’ interactions with the online activities. This method integrated learning analytics data with responses from 63 survey, nine interview, and 16 focus group participants. We found that students used a combination of mobile devices to access the online learning activities across a variety of locations during opportunistic study sessions in order to fit study into their daily routines. The online activities were perceived positively, facilitating affective, cognitive, and behavioural engagement as well as stimulating deep learning. Activities that were authentic...

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology

Discussion forums are often touted as maximising student participation and learning but concerns ... more Discussion forums are often touted as maximising student participation and learning but concerns around engagement counter any perceived benefits. Often participation is the measure of engagement, and students who do not post are deemed unengaged. To further examine engagement and forums as learning communities, we used analytic data from 270 students enrolled in two online psychology subjects using social network analysis and interviewed 22 students. Both subjects’ forums had greater egalitarian triads, indicative of reciprocal relationships. Furthermore, both active posters and lurkers had a mix of grade bands indicating that some lurkers still achieved academically. Lurking was a key qualitative theme along with checking for assessment information and intimidation. For both subjects, students were engaged with the forums, and differences in connectivity were consistent with the different subject content. However, forum activity indicated that these forums were more like subscript...

Psychological Assessment, 2022

Pregnancy-related anxiety, a distinct anxiety characterized by pregnancy-specific concerns, has c... more Pregnancy-related anxiety, a distinct anxiety characterized by pregnancy-specific concerns, has consistently been associated with adverse birth outcomes and obstetric and pediatric risk factors. Despite this, widespread screening for pregnancy-related anxiety has not been integrated into routine antenatal care likely due to the absence of a psychometrically sound screener. This study reports on the initial development of a brief screener derived from the 32-item pregnancy-related anxiety scale (PrAS). Three datasets (comprising pregnant women recruited online) were utilized in the development and evaluation of the PrAS screener (PrAS-Screener). Dataset one (N = 1,084) was used to derive two potential screeners from the PrAS using principal axis factoring (PAF). The factor structure of the models was evaluated using PAF and model fit assessed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using datasets two (N = 638) and three (N = 581). The model comprised 15 items and five subscales was selected as the superior model. The selected model (i.e., PrAS-Screener) was evaluated for convergent and discriminant validity demonstrating higher correlations with similar measures and lower correlations with dissimilar measures and high internal consistency reliability (α = .93). The PrAS-Screener assesses the three core areas of pregnancy-related anxiety (childbirth, body image, baby concerns) but has the advantage of also assessing anxiety symptoms and medical staff concerns, an area integral to providing optimal antenatal care through trusted relationships with clinicians. Initial evidence indicates that the PrAS-Screener is promising as a brief and easy-to-administer screener suitable for use in routine antenatal care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Australian Psychologist, 2018

Objective Pregnancy‐related anxiety has been identified as a distinct anxiety associated with adv... more Objective Pregnancy‐related anxiety has been identified as a distinct anxiety associated with adverse outcomes. This partial replication of the seminal study which demonstrated pregnancy‐related anxiety and measures of state/trait anxiety and depression shared little variance, provides additional empirical support for this anxiety type. In addition, the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) was examined together with the contributing role of neuroticism. Method Pregnant women were recruited online (n = 202, Mage = 25.0, SD = 4.9), and completed the Pregnancy‐Related Anxiety Questionnaire‐Revised (PRAQ‐R2), PASS, Edinburgh Depression Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the International Personality Item Pool Neuroticism scale. Results There were small to very large correlations between all main variables. Large correlations between the predictors (anxiety, depression, neuroticism) indicated multicollinearity resulting in the exclusion of neuroticism. Multiple regression confirmed that the PRAQ‐R2 shared little variance with measures of anxiety and depression. By contrast, the PASS shared large proportions of variance with measures of anxiety. Conclusions The findings in relation to the PRAQ‐R2 support the proposition that pregnancy‐related anxiety is a distinct anxiety type. However, given the significant proportion of variance the PASS shares with anxiety/depression, the PASS is better suited for screening anxiety disorder symptomology but less suitable as a measure of pregnancy‐related anxiety. Limitations included a sample size that was not sufficient to enable stratification. Further, given that the PRAQ‐R2 assesses only some of the core pregnancy‐related anxieties, use of a more comprehensive scale of pregnancy‐related anxiety is needed for an accurate assessment. Clinical implications include the possibility that some women with elevated pregnancy‐related anxiety may be overlooked using existing measures. Given the reported prevalence and adverse outcomes, a psychometrically sound measure for pregnancy‐related anxiety may afford valuable intervention opportunities.

Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, Jan 30, 2018

Pregnancy-related anxiety is a distinct anxiety characterised by pregnancy-specific concerns. Thi... more Pregnancy-related anxiety is a distinct anxiety characterised by pregnancy-specific concerns. This anxiety is consistently associated with adverse birth outcomes, and obstetric and paediatric risk factors, associations generally not seen with other anxieties. The need exists for a psychometrically sound scale for this anxiety type. This study, therefore, reports on the initial development of the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale. The item pool was developed following a literature review and the formulation of a definition for pregnancy-related anxiety. An Expert Review Panel reviewed the definition, item pool and test specifications. Pregnant women were recruited online (N=671). Using a subsample (N=262, M=27.94, SD=4.99), fourteen factors were extracted using Principal Components Analysis accounting for 63.18% of the variance. Further refinement resulted in 11 distinct factors. Confirmatory Factor Analysis further tested the model with a second subsample (N=369, M=26.59, SD=4.76). Af...

Journal of affective disorders, Aug 27, 2018

Pregnancy-related anxiety is increasingly recognised as a common condition that is associated wit... more Pregnancy-related anxiety is increasingly recognised as a common condition that is associated with many deleterious outcomes for both the mother and infant (e.g., preterm birth, postnatal depression). Limitations in the psychometric properties and/or breadth of existing scales for pregnancy-related anxiety highlight the need for a psychometrically sound measure to facilitate effective screening and possible early interventions. The recently developed Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale (PrAS) was evaluated using Rasch analysis to explore how the scale's psychometric properties could be fine-tuned. A sample of 497 pregnant women completed the PrAS. Data were subjected to Rasch analysis, and the resulting scale structure examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. After minor modifications, the Rasch model with 33-items and 8-factors demonstrated good fit, unidimensionality and excellent targeting and internal consistency. Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed the final structure, a...

Educational Gerontology, 2015

ABSTRACT Ageing anxiety is the expression of peoples’ fear of ageing (Lynch, 200020. Lynch, S. M.... more ABSTRACT Ageing anxiety is the expression of peoples’ fear of ageing (Lynch, 200020. Lynch, S. M. (2000). Measurement and prediction of aging anxiety. Research on Aging, 22(5), 533.View all references). Despite greater longevity in the population, there is a lack of research into this aspect of life (Lasher & Faulkender, 199316. Lasher, K. P. & Faulkender, P. J. (1993). Measurement of aging anxiety: Development of the Anxiety about Aging Scale. The International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 37(4), 247-259.View all references). This research explored fears of ageing across four dimensions: Fear of Old People, Physical Appearance, Psychological Concerns, and Fear of Losses. Three hundred and forty eight participants aged 18 − 88 participated in an online survey. Findings were: (1) men and women have different fears of ageing; (2) greater quality contact is related to less ageing anxiety; (3) poor health is related to greater ageing anxiety, (4) ageism, defined by Nelson (200527. Nelson, T. D. (2005). Ageism: Prejudice against our feared future self. Journal of Social Issues, 61(2), 207-221.View all references) as prejudice toward ageing is positively correlated with ageing anxiety. The implications of these findings are that better quality contact and more positive attitudes toward ageing are associated with less ageing anxiety. As such, possible key target areas in developing appropriate interventions are provided, with hope to prepare adults of all ages for the inevitable - life is a terminal illness, so enjoy while you can.

Journal of affective disorders, Jan 28, 2015

Depression in pregnancy is a serious health issue; however, anxiety in pregnancy, with a reported... more Depression in pregnancy is a serious health issue; however, anxiety in pregnancy, with a reported higher prevalence, may also be a serious issue. Anxiety symptoms in pregnancy can relate to several anxiety types, such as general anxiety, anxiety disorders, and pregnancy-related anxiety (PrA), anxiety characterised by pregnancy specific fears and worries. Awareness of these distinctions however, is not always widespread. Both general anxiety and PrA are associated with maternal negative outcomes (e.g. increased nausea) however; PrA is more often associated with negative outcomes for the child (e.g. preterm birth). Furthermore, PrA is potentially a risk factor for postnatal depression with assessment of PrA potentially affording important intervention opportunities. Currently several different instruments are used for PrA however their psychometric properties are unclear. To our knowledge a review of current instruments and their psychometric properties is lacking, this paper aims to ...

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2020

BACKGROUND During pregnancy, women are vulnerable to mood and anxiety disorders due to the signif... more BACKGROUND During pregnancy, women are vulnerable to mood and anxiety disorders due to the significant physical and emotional changes that occur during this period. For some women, pregnancy can also present as a period of immense body dissatisfaction due to the substantial changes in body shape and size. OBJECTIVES This study examined the mediating role of Fat Talk (i.e., engaging in disparaging comments about one's body shape and size with others) in the relationship between (a) body dissatisfaction and distress in pregnant women (i.e., pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology), and (b) sociocultural pressure to meet the thin ideal and distress. METHOD A nonclinical sample of 408 pregnant women (Mage = 28.24 years, SDage = 5.04, range 18-44 years) completed measures of body dissatisfaction, sociocultural pressure, pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology. FINDINGS Analyses confirmed the partial mediating role of Fat Talk between body dissatisfaction and all three measures of distress, when examined individually. Fat Talk also mediated the relationship between sociocultural pressure (i.e., peers/family and media) and the three measures of distress. Age also partially mediated the relationship between body dissatisfaction and a composite measure of pregnancy distress. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that women face sociocultural pressures for thinness and body dissatisfaction even when pregnant, and that engaging in Fat Talk contribute to greater levels of pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology. The role of Fat Talk in regard to pregnancy distress may be more pertinent to younger women.

BACKGROUND Increasingly pregnancy-related anxiety is acknowledged as a distinct anxiety type, cha... more BACKGROUND Increasingly pregnancy-related anxiety is acknowledged as a distinct anxiety type, characterised by specific fears/worries. The Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale (PrAS) screens for this distinct anxiety and refinements to the scale have prompted further validity examination. This study aims to: replicate findings that distinguished pregnancy-related anxiety from general anxiety/depression using the PrAS; confirm the PrAS's factor structure, and examine the validity of the PrAS subscales: Acceptance of Pregnancy, Avoidance and Worry About Self. METHODS Pregnant women (N = 608) were recruited online and completed the PrAS, Pregnancy Acceptance Questionnaire, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Cambridge Worry Scale, Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Edinburgh Depression Scale. RESULTS Multiple regression analysis confirmed general anxiety/depression contributed little to the PrAS's variance, supporting the scale's validity and di...

Pregnancy-Related Anxiety

Pregnancy-Related Anxiety

Social Science & Medicine

Journal of Health Psychology

Physical, sexual and psychological abuse were examined as risk factors for pregnancy-related anxi... more Physical, sexual and psychological abuse were examined as risk factors for pregnancy-related anxiety with resilience and social support as mediators. Pregnant women ( n = 638) completed measures of pregnancy-related anxiety, resilience, perceived social support and childhood abuse. Women with an abuse history had higher pregnancy-related anxiety scores ( m = 64.40) than other women ( m = 55.36). All abuse types independently predicted pregnancy-related anxiety; resilience and social support were mediators. Results highlight the value of antenatal screening for pregnancy-related anxiety including specific risk factors such as child abuse. Programs such as the Midwife Continuity of Care are useful in encouraging disclosure.