Pregnancy-related anxiety and birth outcomes

Schetter, Christine Dunkel; Julian, Melissa; Ponting, Carolyn

doi:10.4324/9781003014003-7

Cited by 2 publications

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“…In this study, we examined multiple measures of prenatal anxiety or distress measured early and late in pregnancy. Two scales assessed pregnancy-specific anxiety (an affective state concerning the current pregnancy) that has received a great deal of attention in the literature given its consequences for physiology and birth outcomes, especially shortened length of gestation (Blackmore et al, 2016; Dunkel Schetter, 2011; Dunkel Schetter et al, 2021; Field, 2017; Kane et al, 2014; Rini et al, 1999; Staneva et al, 2015). A third scale assessed pregnancy distress, or a broader set of concerns regarding a current pregnancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety in pregnancy and length of gestation: Findings from the healthy babies before birth study.

Schetter¹,

Rahal²,

Ponting³

et al. 2022

Health Psychology

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Objectives: Anxiety is prevalent in pregnancy and predicts risk of adverse birth outcomes. Many instruments measure anxiety in pregnancy, some of which assess pregnancy anxiety defined as maternal concerns about a current pregnancy (e.g., baby, childbirth). The present study examined covariance among four anxiety or distress measures at two times in pregnancy and tested joint and individual effects on gestational length. We hypothesized that the common variance of the measures in each trimester would predict earlier delivery. Method: Research staff interviewed 196 women in first and third trimester utilizing a clinical screener of anxiety severity/impairment, two instruments measuring pregnancy anxiety, and one on prenatal distress. Birth outcomes and medical risk factors were obtained from medical records after birth. Structural equation modeling fit latent factors for each trimester from the four measures. Subsequent models tested whether the latent factors predicted gestational length, and unique effects of each measure. Results: The third-trimester pregnancy anxiety latent factor predicted shorter gestational length adjusting for mother's age, education, parity, and obstetric risk. Scores on a four-item pregnancy-specific anxiety measure (PSAS) in third trimester added uniquely to prediction of gestational length. In first trimester, scores on the clinical screener (OASIS) uniquely predicted shorter gestational length whereas the latent factor did not. Conclusion: These results support existing evidence indicating that pregnancy anxiety is a reliable risk factor for earlier birth. Findings point to possible screening for clinically significant anxiety symptoms in the first trimester, and pregnancy-specific anxiety thereafter to advance efforts to prevent earlier delivery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety in pregnancy and length of gestation: Findings from the healthy babies before birth study.

Schetter¹,

Rahal²,

Ponting³

et al. 2022

Health Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…PrA has received a greater research focus in the last 10–15 years [ 4 ]. Several studies point to adverse effects on women´s mental health such as negative birth experiences and birth trauma due to PrA [ 5 – 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the German version of the pregnancy-related anxiety scale (PrAS): psychometric properties across all trimesters of pregnancy

Weigl

Brunton

Dryer

et al. 2023

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background Pregnancy-related anxiety has received greater research attention recently given its association with adverse outcomes (e.g., negative birth experiences). The Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale (PrAS) offers the possibility to assess pregnancy-related anxiety, but no German version is available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate a German version of the PrAS, a comprehensive measure with eight dimensions. Methods Pregnant women of any parity or gestation completed an online survey consisting of the PrAS, PRAQ-R2, and measures of anxiety, depression, and resilience. The PrAS was translated into German (PrAS-G) using the back-translation method. Data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and inferential statistics. Results Complete data were provided by 443 women. Participants were predominantly German nationals, partnered, and well-educated with a planned pregnancy. Approximately half were nulliparous. The eight-factor model was well fitting and consistent with the development of the original PrAS. Criterion-related validity was demonstrated by strong correlations with similar measures (PRAQ-R2, anxiety, and depression) and lower correlations with resilience scores. Predictive validity was shown by group comparisons for: planned versus unplanned pregnancy, trimester, and parity. Conclusions The PrAS-G provides a broader assessment of pregnancy-related anxiety than existing measures. Initial evaluation has demonstrated convergent, divergent, and predictive validity, excellent internal consistency, and good model fit indicating promising psychometric properties. The PrAS-G offers a comprehensive assessment of pregnancy-related anxiety which will enable tailored interventions aiming to improve birth experience and well-being of expectant mothers.

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Pregnancy-related anxiety and birth outcomes

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Anxiety in pregnancy and length of gestation: Findings from the healthy babies before birth study.

Anxiety in pregnancy and length of gestation: Findings from the healthy babies before birth study.

Validation of the German version of the pregnancy-related anxiety scale (PrAS): psychometric properties across all trimesters of pregnancy

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