Anxiety symptoms and coping strategies in the perinatal period (original) (raw)
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Pregnancy-Related Anxiety and Associated Coping Styles and Strategies: A Cross-Sectional Study
Coping behaviour associated with pregnancy-related anxiety: a cross-sectional study. , 2023
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related anxiety is a distinct psychological construct during pregnancy, requiring adequate coping behavior. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was performed among 420 pregnant Dutch-speaking women in Belgium to establish the prevalence rate of pregnancy-related anxiety and to explore its associated coping styles and strategies. Pregnancy-related anxiety was measured with the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised (PRAQ-R2) and coping was measured with the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced. FINDINGS: Based on PRAQ-R2 score ≥ 90th percentile, the pregnancy-related anxiety prevalence rate was 13.3%. Women with heightened scores significantly more often had a (family) history of psychological problems (p = .027; p = .013), were significantly more often nulliparous women (p < .000), had a fear of birth (p = .041), felt ill-prepared for birth and parenthood (p < .000), and significantly more often reported to have received insufficient emotional (p = .002) and practical support (p < .000) during pregnancy. The coping style "avoidance" showed a significant positive association with pregnancy-related anxiety (p < .000), while "positive thinking" showed a significant negative association (p = .054). The coping strategies "self-blame, " "substance use, " and "self-distraction" showed a significant positive association with pregnancy-related anxiety (p < .001, p = .011, p = .003). CONCLUSION: Flemish women show overall maladaptive styles and strategies in coping with pregnancy-related anxiety, of which self-blame seems to be a newfound strategy, requiring attention. Healthcare practitioners might benefit when being aware of the predisposing factors of pregnancyrelated anxiety and women's (mal)adaptive coping styles and strategies to better understand and adequately support these women.
To Assess the Level of Anxiety and Coping Strategies Adopted by Antenatal Mothers
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International
Background: Premature birth, a higher risk of developing hypertension and preeclampsia, and an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth have all been linked to general prenatal stress, according to numerous research. The link between pregnancy-related anxiety and negative pregnancy outcomes is well-established. Anxiety disorders are seen in 10% and 25% of pregnant women in industrialised and developing nations, respectively. Objective of the Study: 1.To assess the level of anxiety among antenatal mothers. 2. To assess the level of coping strategies among antenatal mothers, 3. To correlate anxiety and coping strategy of antenatal mothers. 4. To associate anxiety and coping strategy among antenatal mothers with demographic variables. Materials and Methods: A Descriptive research design study was undertaken to assess the level of anxiety and coping strategies adopted by antenatal mothers. In this study a total number of 100women who fulfill the inclusion criteria were selected. Modi...
Open Journal of Psychiatry, 2013
Objective: Anxiety is common among pregnant women. However, research attention in the area of reproductive mental health has mainly focused on postpartum depression in past decades. Given adverse outcomes of antenatal anxiety, there is an urgent need to fill the research gaps. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of antenatal anxiety symptoms and examine the risk factors and effects of anxiety symptoms in early pregnancy on anxiety and depressive symptoms in later pregnancy and early postpartum period. Methodology: A prospective longitudinal design with quantitative approach was adopted. A consecutive sample of 1470 Chinese pregnant women from hospitals in Hong Kong was invited to participate in the study and was assessed using standardized instruments on 3 time points including first and third trimesters of pregnancy and 6-week postpartum. Results: The results showed that 17.7% of pregnant women manifested anxiety symptoms in the first trimester of pregnancy. Single mothers, younger mothers, mothers who smoked before pregnancy and mothers who received low education level reported significantly higher levels of anxiety symptoms in the first trimester. Unwanted pregnancy, low self esteem, low marital satisfaction and perceived low social support were significant psychosocial risk factors for anxiety symptoms in the first trimester. Anxiety symptoms in the first trimester were independent predictors for anxiety symptoms in the third trimester (β = 0.26, t = 5.74, p < 0.001), however anxiety symptoms in the first trimester no longer significantly predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms in 6 weeks postpartum after adjusting for the effects of potential confounders. Discussions: The present study points to the need for greater research and clinical attention to antenatal anxiety given that antenatal anxiety is a prevalent problem and has serious impacts on maternal wellbeing. Such findings also contribute to the understanding of maternal anxiety and have implications for the design of effective identification, prevention and treatment of these significant clinical problems
Coping strategies in women with anxiety and depression during prenatal period
Objective: To determine the frequency and association of coping strategies with different levels of anxiety and depression. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in private hospitals of Karachi, from January to May 2017. Data was collected from pregnant women willing to participate in the study by using non-probability convenient sampling. A questionnaire was used to gather socio-demographic and obstetric data after informed consent from pregnant women. Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to identify different levels of anxiety and depression. Coping strategies were assessed by using brief inventory results which were assessed on SPSS 16. Results: Study group included 400 women between the ages of 18 to 38 years with a mean age of 27.08 ± 4.074. The adaptive strategies were used by 23.3% of the study group. Maladaptive strategies were adopted by 17.9% of women and 58.9% were using both adaptive and maladaptive strategies. There was a significant association of adaptive strategies and women appearing normal on HADS scale (p-value= 0.000, OR= .077) whereas there was negative association with maladaptive strategies and normal behaviour (p-value= 0.032, OR= 1.747). Women with borderline anxiety were using only combination of both types of strategies. Women using maladaptive strategies were having significant association with abnormal level of anxiety (p-value= 0.000, OR= 3.369) with borderline depression (p-value= 0.012, OR= .420) and abnormal depression (p-value= 0.000, OR=-6.657). Active coping (OR 5.952 and 6.679), instrumental (OR 4.138 and 6.679), planning (OR 10.300 and 6.646),) and positive reframing (OR 1.735 and 3.765) were protective for abnormal anxiety and abnormal depression. Religious practices were protective for abnormal anxiety only (OR= 4.289). Conclusion: Adaptive strategies are associated with normal mental status and are protective for anxiety and depression whereas maladaptive strategies are the risk factors for anxiety and depression. Pregnant women should be encouraged to adopt adaptive strategies to reduce the adverse outcome associated with anxiety and depression.
The course of anxiety and depression through pregnancy and the postpartum in a community sample
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2004
Background: Postnatal and antenatal depression are a focus of considerable clinical and research attention, but little is known about the patterns of anxiety across this period. Methods: Self-reported anxiety and depression were assessed at 18 and 32 weeks gestation and 8 weeks and 8 months postnatally in a prospective longitudinal study of a community sample of women in England (n = 8323). Results: The majority of cases of postnatal depression were preceded by antenatal depression; similarly, postnatal anxiety was preceded by antenatal anxiety. Despite the stability of anxiety and depression across this period, there was a mean decrease in both anxiety and depression. Finally, antenatal anxiety predicted postnatal depression at 8 weeks and 8 months, even after controlling for antenatal depression (OR = 3.22, p < 0.001). Limitations: Data were based on self-report only and there was evidence of selective attrition. Conclusion: The findings confirm that antenatal anxiety occurs frequently, overlaps with depression and increases the likelihood of postnatal depression. D
Pregnancy and Childbirth: Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) and Support for New Mothers
Journal of the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement, 2018
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are a significant mental health concern worldwide. In Canada, researchers, maternal mental health advocates, and practitioners are working to increase understanding of mental health in the perinatal period. This article focuses on the necessity to expand and build upon current understanding of PMADs, particularly postpartum anxiety disorders (PPA). The traditional construct of postpartum depression (PPD) is inadequate to understand, assess, diagnose, and treat the wide range of postpartum mood disorders. Anxiety disorders may be underdiagnosed among new mothers. Specific risk factors are explored for this population and support interventions are provided for PPA. Additionally, this article explores ways to improve understanding of PMADs from a sociocultural perspective and to improve protective factors that may enhance a new mother’s mental health. Addressing the gaps and needs in postpartum mental health will positively affect mothers, f...
CBU International Conference Proceedings
Problem Statement: The anxiety and depression experienced during pregnancy and in the postpartum period is of considerable importance in terms of the health of the mother and her infant.Purpose of the Study: The aim of this study was to determine the status of anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.Methods: The research sample consisted of 100 primiparae and 100 multiparae who had consented to participate in the study. Data was collected with a questionnaire, the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS).Findings and Results: It was found that during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, primiparae experienced a higher level of state and trait anxiety compared to multiparae and that the rate of depression was higher in multiparae compared to primiparae.Conclusions and Recommendations: It was determined that primiparae experienced more anxiety than multiparae (p<0...
Seeking help for anxiety and depression after childbirth: results of the Maternal Health Study
Archives of Women's Mental Health, 2009
Access to treatment for postnatal anxiety and depression is dependant on women seeking help for psychological symptoms. The aim of this paper was to investigate what women themselves say about seeking help for emotional difficulties after childbirth. The Maternal Health Study is a prospective pregnancy cohort study investigating the physical and psychological health of 1,507 nulliparous women during pregnancy and after birth. One thousand, three hundred eighty-five women completed a computer-assisted telephone interview at 9 months postpartum; 8.5% of women reported intense anxiety or panic attacks occasionally or often, and 9.5% reported depressed mood, between 6 and 9 months postpartum. Of those experiencing anxiety symptoms alone 44.4% had spoken to a health professional, compared with 65.5% of women experiencing depressive symptoms alone (RR=0.68, 95% CI-0.5 to 0.9). Measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms at 9 months postpartum were not validated against diagnostic criteria. Anxiety is a common experience in the perinatal period. More research is needed into this area to determine what levels of anxiety are 'normal' and acceptable to women during this period. Public health campaigns may have been more effective in encouraging women to seek help for depression than anxiety.
A study of antenatal anxiety: comparison across trimesters
International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Background: The aim of present study was to investigate the antenatal anxiety across all three trimesters of pregnancy.Methods: This is a cross sectional, observational study for which data is collected from consenting subjects attending antenatal Out Patients department for routine antenatal checkup. Data included socio demographic information’s and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and statistical analysis done.Results: Out of 169 Pregnant females 27.8% were during first trimester, 40.8% during second trimester and 31.4% during 3rd trimester. The mean anxiety scores for first, second and third trimester was 10.74±2.97, 11.69±3.09 and 14.20±3.10 respectively. Independent t test revealed significantly higher anxiety scores for third trimester when compared to first trimester scores (t= -6.035, p value = 0.000).Conclusions: This study finds a significantly higher antenatal anxiety during third trimester of pregnancy.
Antenatal Anxiety: Prevalence and Patterns in a Routine Obstetric Population
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
Introduction: Expectant mothers may appear anxious even during healthy pregnancies. Unfortunately, little is known about antenatal anxiety, and affected women may remain undetected and untreated. This study aimed to examine the prevalence, incidence, course and associations of high state anxiety in routine obstetric care. Materials and Methods: This was an observational prospective cohort study at a large maternity unit. Obstetric outpatients with low-risk singleton pregnancies were recruited during first trimester consultations. Participants provided sociodemographic data and completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The STAI was re-administered at each subsequent trimester. Results: Prevalence and incidence of high state anxiety among 634 completers were 29.5% (95% CI 25.6%-33.6%) and 13.9% (95% CI 9.9%-18.0%), respectively. Anxiety was persistent in 17.0% (95% CI 14.3%-20.2%) and transient in 26.3% (95% CI 23.1%-29.9%). Only per...