Journal article
Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy does not increase the risk for adverse birth outcomes
Women and Health, Vol.58(1), pp.92-111
2018
Abstract
Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy is a potential risk factor for various birth complications. This study aimed to explore psychological factors associated with adverse birth outcomes. Symptoms of psychological distress, individual characteristics, and medical complications were assessed at two time points antenatally in 285 women from Australia and New Zealand; birth outcomes were assessed postpartum, between January 2014 and September 2015. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation of psychological distress to adverse birth outcomes. Medical complications during pregnancy, such as serious infections, placental problems and preeclampsia, and antenatal cannabis use, were the factors most strongly associated with adverse birth outcomes, accounting for 22 percent of the total variance (p <.001). Symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, low social support, and low sense of coherence were not associated with birth complications. In unadjusted analyses, self-reported diagnosis of anxiety disorder during pregnancy and an orientation toward a Regulator mothering style were associated with adverse birth outcomes; however, after controlling for medical complications, these were no longer associated. Our study results indicate that antenatal depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were not independently associated with adverse birth outcomes, a reassuring finding for women who are already psychologically vulnerable during pregnancy. © 2018 Taylor & Francis.
Details
- Title
- Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy does not increase the risk for adverse birth outcomes
- Authors
- A A Staneva (Author) - University of QueenslandA Morawska (Author) - University of QueenslandFiona E Bogossian (Author) - University of QueenslandA Wittkowski (Author) - University of Manchester, United Kingdom
- Publication details
- Women and Health, Vol.58(1), pp.92-111
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Date published
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1080/03630242.2017.1282395
- ISSN
- 0363-0242
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451109502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Women's Studies
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