Determinants of Psychosocial Resilience Resources in Obese Pregnant Women with Threatened Preterm Labor—A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of such psychosocial resilience resources as self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, and health locus of control in pregnant women with obesity with threatened premature labor. Methods: The study was performed in the years 2017–2020 in a group of 328 pregnant women hospitalized due to threatened preterm labor and diagnosed with obesity before the pregnancy. The following instruments were applied: the Life Orientation Test, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Results: Obese pregnant women with threatened premature labor have a moderate level of generalized self-efficacy (28.02) and a moderate level of dispositional optimism (16.20). Out of the three health locus of control dimensions, the highest scores were recorded in the “internal control” subscale (26.08). Statistically significant predictors for the self-efficacy variable model included: satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.156; p = 0.004), being nulliparous (ß = –0.191; p = 0.002), and the absence of comorbidities (ß = –0.145; p = 0.008). Higher levels of dispositional optimism were found in women who were married (ß = 0.381; p = 0.000), reported a satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.137; p = 0.005), were between 23 and 27 weeks pregnant (ß = –0.231; p = 0.000), and had no comorbidities (ß = –0.129; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Generalized self-efficacy in obese women with threatened preterm labor is associated with satisfactory socio-economic standing, being nulliparous, and the absence of chronic disease. Dispositional optimism in obese pregnant women with threatened preterm labor is determined by their marital status, socio-economic standing, gestational age, and the absence of comorbidities.

Acceptance of Pregnancy-Induced Disease and Intrapersonal Resistance Resources of Pregnant Women—Preliminary Report

“…A study conducted by Mahmoodabad et al among pregnant Iranian women with a normal course of pregnancy found that the overall self-efficacy score was 23.31, lower than in our study [ 29 ]. Values similar to those obtained in our own study were achieved in primiparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy (28.29) [ 30 ], in obese pregnant women with threatened preterm labor (28.02) [ 31 ], in pregnant patients with hyperglycemia (31.58) [ 25 ] and in women after miscarriage (30.29) [ 32 ]. The regression analysis of our study showed that the explanatory variables for self-efficacy were age, wealth, and planning a pregnancy, which may be due to the fact that older women with higher socioeconomic status and those planning a pregnancy were more aware of pregnancy and the need to take care of their own health and that of their unborn child.…”

“…There are few scientific reports in the literature addressing the issues of acceptance of illness and psychosocial resilience resources of pregnant women: self-efficacy and health locus of control and their determinants, especially in the case of the occurrence of diseases complicating pregnancy, which is important in the care of women with abnormal pregnancy [ 25 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 42 , 43 ]. The implemented care should be based on the real needs, capabilities, and expectations of pregnant women to cope with the situation.…”

The Mediating Role of Dispositional Optimism in the Relationship between Health Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy in Pregnant Women at Risk of Preterm Delivery

“…The present findings add to those from our previous study that analyzed self-efficacy, life orientation, and health locus of control in pregnant women diagnosed with threatened premature labor [46]. One limitation of the present study is the lack of a detailed analysis of personal resources in women hospitalized due to high-risk pregnancy at a point before the complication had occurred and after the completion of pregnancy.…”

The mediating effect of resilience on pregnancy stress and prenatal anxiety in pregnant women

“…To summarize, resilience, as an intermediary, can affect both maternal pregnancy stress and maternal prenatal anxiety, as a protective factor against both (43). The higher the level of resilience of pregnant women, the lower the pregnancy pressure and the milder the symptoms of prenatal anxiety (44).…”