Frances C Calkins, Lauren M Laifer, Rachel C B Beck, Sarah J Gervais, Rebecca L Brock
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aims/background: Although the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale - also referred to as the Pregnancy-Related Thoughts Scale (PRT) - is one of the most widely utilised measures of pregnancy-related anxiety (PrA), there is limited research exploring its factor structure and psychometric properties. The present study sought to (a) explore the factor structure of the PRT and (b) examine whether specific dimensions of PrA differentially predict postpartum outcomes.
Design/methods: A community sample of pregnant women (N = 159) was recruited from a Midwestern city in the United States and completed the PRT alongside other self-report measures of stress and maternal health and mood during pregnancy. Participants also completed measures of maternal health and mood, as well as parenting/infant outcomes, at 1- and 6-months postpartum.
Results: Results provided support for a bifactor model with two unique dimensions of the PRT capturing baby- and self-focused concerns, respectively. Maternal self-focused PrA uniquely predicted postpartum internalising problems (β = .22), worse physical health (β = -.27), and impaired mother-infant bonding (β = .19) when controlling for baby-focused and general PrA.
Conclusion: Findings highlight the utility of screening for specific dimensions of PrA to promote both maternal and infant wellbeing following childbirth. Specifically, evidence suggests that screening for self-focused PrA, above and beyond baby-focused PrA, might facilitate prevention and intervention efforts and allow researchers to better understand antecedents and consequences of unique facets of PrA.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology reports and reviews outstanding research on psychological, behavioural, medical and social aspects of human reproduction, pregnancy and infancy. Medical topics focus on obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and psychiatry. The growing work in relevant aspects of medical communication and medical sociology are also covered. Relevant psychological work includes developmental psychology, clinical psychology, social psychology, behavioural medicine, psychology of women and health psychology. Research into psychological aspects of midwifery, health visiting and nursing is central to the interests of the Journal. The Journal is of special value to those concerned with interdisciplinary issues. As a result, the Journal is of particular interest to those concerned with fundamental processes in behaviour and to issues of health promotion and service organization.
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