Turkish translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric validation of the pregnancy symptoms inventory: An instrument to assess the full spectrum of pregnancy symptoms

The relationship of depression, anxiety, and stress with pregnancy symptoms and coping styles in pregnant women: A multi-group structural equation modeling analysis

BACKGROUND

The changes during pregnancy can increase susceptibility to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress, which is why coping strategies are so important. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between depression, anxiety, stress, pregnancy symptoms and coping styles in pregnant women across trimesters, using a multigroup structural equation model.

METHODS

This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 301 pregnant women who applied to the prenatal clinic of a state university's medical faculty. A hypothetical model was created based on transactional stress and coping theory and literature reviews. Data were collected using a participant information form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Pregnancy Symptom Inventory and the Stress Coping Styles Scale.

RESULTS

Among pregnant women, 40.9 % had symptoms of stress, 52.8 % of anxiety and 37.2 % of depression. Pregnancy symptoms and emotion-focused coping are positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress (β = 0.468-0.590; β = 0.222-0.373 respectively). Problem-focused coping is negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. (β = -0.255:-0.389). Problem-focused coping is negatively associated with pregnancy symptoms in the whole sample (β = -0.121) and in the third trimester (β = -0.124). The model explained 51 % of the variance in the 1st, 42 % in the 2nd, and 64 % in the 3rd trimesters.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that problem-focused coping strategies are negatively associated with depression, anxiety and stress and play an important protective role in this context. These findings contribute to understanding the factors affecting mental health during pregnancy and emphasize the importance of developing problem-focused coping skills for pregnant women.

Relationship between health practices with attitudes towards pregnancy and motherhood and pregnancy symptoms in Iranian pregnant women: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Pregnancy is a vulnerable period for women's health, and health practices play an essential role in this period. This study aimed to determine the relationship between health practices with attitudes toward pregnancy and motherhood and pregnancy symptoms.

DESIGN

It was a cross-sectional study using cluster sampling conducted on 351 pregnant women in 2021-2022. Data were collected using questionnaires of socio-demographic characteristics, health practices in pregnancy (Health Practices Questionnaire-II), attitude towards motherhood and pregnancy (Prenatal Attitudes Towards motherhood and Pregnancy) and pregnancy symptoms (Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory). The general linear model (GLM), with the adjustment of socio-demographic characteristics, was used to determine the relationship of the health practices with attitudes towards motherhood and pregnancy and pregnancy symptoms.

SETTING

Health centres in Tabriz city, Iran.

PARTICIPANTS

Women were eligible if living in the Tabriz city, Iran, were pregnant and had a personal health record at the health centre.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) of the total health practices score was 117.9 (20.5) out of 34-170. The mean (SD) of the attitudes towards motherhood and pregnancy was 33.4 (4.5) out of 11-44. The mean (SD) of the pregnancy symptoms was 28.0 (12.1) out of 0-123. According to the Pearson correlation test, there was a significant direct correlation between health practices with attitudes towards motherhood and pregnancy (r=0.39; p<0.001) and a significant inverse correlation with pregnancy symptoms (r=-0.29; p<0.001). Based on the GLM with an increase in the score of health practices, the mean score of the attitude towards motherhood and pregnancy increased (B=0.07; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.1), and the mean score of pregnancy symptoms decreased (B=-0.1; 95% CI: -0.2 to -0.05).

CONCLUSION

Considering the relationship between health practices with the attitude towards motherhood and pregnancy symptoms, healthcare providers better use educational and counselling strategies to promote health practices in pregnant women.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory (PSI)

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of pregnancy symptoms inventory. A methodological study. This study was conducted on 220 pregnant women. Construct validity was measured by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was measured by intra-class correlation coefficient and internal consistency. Since the items 12 (snoring) and 16 (thrush) failed to obtain the minimum principal axis factoring in exploratory factor analysis, they were removed from the Persian version. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit for the extracted model. Cronbach's alpha was .94 for the frequency items and .95 for the limitation items. Intra-class correlation coefficient was between .58 and 1 for frequency items and between .73 and 1 for limitation items. The Persian version of pregnancy symptoms inventory was a valid and reliable scale to be used for Iranian pregnant women.