Analysis of the severity of anxiety in a group of pregnant women hospitalized for threatened premature delivery

Abstract

Introduction

An important element that contributes to the increase of the level of anxiety in pregnant women is threatened preterm labor and the need for hospitalization in pregnancy pathology department. Fear of low intensity, by induction of autonomic and endocrine response, can stimulate defense mechanisms of the body, thus, to a certain extent, having beneficial effects on pregnancy. In contrast, excessive and imprinted fear has negative effects by predisposing to pregnancy and fetal development disorders.

Aim

The aim of the study is to assess the level of anxiety, as a trait and as a state, in a group of pregnant women hospitalized for preterm labor in relation to socio-demographic factors and obstetric situation.

Material and methods

The study included 313 pregnant women hospitalized for threatened preterm labor. Research tools included a questionnaire of own authorship developed to determine characteristics of pregnant subjects and a standardized State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Results and discussion

The mean score of state anxiety (STAI X-1) in the group of pregnant women was 44.27 ± 9.84, with the score range 20–73 points, which indicates a high level of state anxiety. On the other hand, the mean score of trait anxiety (STAI X-2) in the study group was 44.52 ± 8.93, with the score range 20–90 points, which indicates the average level of trait anxiety. There was no statistically significant relationship between the intensity of state anxiety and marital status, place of residence and obstetric situation in the study (P > 0.05), while significant differences were found between the severity of state anxiety and the age and education of the respondents. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between intensity of anxiety and age, marital status and obstetric situation (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Pregnant women hospitalized due to preterm labor, who were included in the study, were characterized by high levels of state anxiety and average levels of trait anxiety.

Introduction

Preterm delivery is still one of the fundamental problems of modern perinatology due to intensive and expensive treatment of both mother and child, mental and physical disorders occurring in premature babies and high rates of perinatal mortality.1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Anxiety is one of the most important emotions that has both physiological and psychological features, affecting human functioning and accompanying the body throughout the life. An important element that contributes to the increase of the level of anxiety in pregnant women is threatened preterm labor and the need for hospitalization in pregnancy pathology department. Fear of low intensity, by induction of autonomic and endocrine response, can stimulate defense mechanisms of the body, thus, to a certain extent, having beneficial effects on pregnancy. In contrast, excessive and imprinted fear has negative effects by predisposing to pregnancy and fetal development disorders.6, 7, 8