Development of a Culturally Sensitive Stress Instrument for Pregnant Hispanic Women

A Pilot Test of the Everyday Stressors Index-Spanish Version in a Sample of Hispanic Women Attending Prenatal Care

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prenatal and postpartum psychosocial stress are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Hispanic women experience higher levels of stress during pregnancy. This pilot study assessed the psychometric characteristics of the Everyday Stressors Index-Spanish (ESI-S) version.

METHODS

Secondary analysis in a convenience sample, n = 51 women.

RESULTS

The ESI-S showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .86). Two factors accounted for 40% of the item variance. The greatest sources of stress were "having too many responsibilities" and "not enough money for basics". Higher levels of stressors were associated with older age, living without a partner, and working part or full time. The ESI-S was positively correlated with measures of perinatal depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support the reliability and validity of the newly translated ESI-S.

Measurement of stress

This article provides information on psychological assessments based on the most influential stress theories. In understanding the stress response and its relation to disease, clinical vignettes are provided. Emphasis is placed on assessment measures for use in the general population and on providing an overview of evidence for more commonly used instruments in health care. Several advantages and disadvantages afforded by measurement approaches are also addressed (although a full examination of the extent of limitations and issues regarding assessment is beyond the scope of this article). Finally, future considerations regarding proposed research and necessary advances in measurement are discussed.