1,921
Views
150
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

A review and psychometric evaluation of pregnancy-specific stress measures

, &
Pages 62-77 | Received 02 Jun 2011, Accepted 02 Mar 2012, Published online: 03 May 2012

References

  • Talge NM, Neal C, Glover V; Early Stress, Translational Research and Prevention Science Network: Fetal and Neonatal Experience on Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Antenatal maternal stress and long-term effects on child neurodevelopment: how and why? J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2007;48:245–261.
  • Dunkel Schetter C. Psychological science on pregnancy: stress processes, biopsychosocial models, and emerging research issues. Annu Rev Psychol 2011;62:531–558.
  • Lobel M, Dunkel-Schetter C. Conceptualizing stress to study effects on health: environmental, perceptual, and emotional components. Anx Res 1990;3:213–230.
  • Lobel M, Dunkel-Schetter C, Scrimshaw SC. Prenatal maternal stress and prematurity: a prospective study of socioeconomically disadvantaged women. Health Psychol 1992;11:32–40.
  • Lazarus RS, Folkman S. Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer; 1984.
  • Lobel M. Conceptualizations, measurement, and effects of prenatal maternal stress on birth outcomes. J Behav Med 1994;17:225–272.
  • Molfese VJ, Bricker MC, Manion L, Beadnell B, Yaple K, Moires KA. Anxiety, depression and stress in pregnancy: a multivariate model of intra-partum risks and pregnancy outcomes. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 1987;7:77–92.
  • Nethercut MA, Adler N. Anxiety, stress and social support: prenatal predictors of obstetrical outcomes. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Anaheim, CA; 1983.
  • Mancuso RA, Schetter CD, Rini CM, Roesch SC, Hobel CJ. Maternal prenatal anxiety and corticotropin-releasing hormone associated with timing of delivery. Psychosom Med 2004;66:762–769.
  • Orr ST, Reiter JP, Blazer DG, James SA. Maternal prenatal pregnancy-related anxiety and spontaneous preterm birth in Baltimore, Maryland. Psychosom Med 2007;69:566–570.
  • Lobel M, Hamilton JG, Cannella DL. Psychosocial perspectives on pregnancy: prenatal maternal stress and coping. Soc Personal Psychol Compass 2008;2/4:1600–1623.
  • Kramer MS, Lydon J, Séguin L, Goulet L, Kahn SR, McNamara H, Genest J, et al. Stress pathways to spontaneous preterm birth: the role of stressors, psychological distress, and stress hormones. Am J Epidemiol 2009;169:1319–1326.
  • Dunkel-Schetter C, Glynn L. Stress in pregnancy: empirical evidence and theoretical issue to guide interdisciplinary researchers. In: Contrada R, Baum A, editors. Handbook of Stress. 2nd edition. New York: Springer publishing Company; 2010.
  • Dunkel-Schetter C, Lobel M. Pregnancy and birth outcomes: a multi-level analysis of prenatal stress and birth weight. In: Baum AS, Revenson TA, Singer JE, editors. Handbook of Health Psychology. Psychology Press. In press.
  • Da Costa D, Larouche J, Dritsa M, Brender W. Variations in stress levels over the course of pregnancy: factors associated with elevated hassles, state anxiety and pregnancy-specific stress. J Psychosom Res 1999;47:609–621.
  • Saunders TA, Lobel M, Veloso C, Meyer BA. Prenatal maternal stress is associated with delivery analgesia and unplanned cesareans. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2006;27:141–146.
  • Mennes M, Stiers P, Lagae L, Van den Bergh B. Long-term cognitive sequelae of antenatal maternal anxiety: involvement of the orbitofrontal cortex. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2006;30:1078–1086.
  • Buss C, Davis EP, Muftuler LT, Head K, Sandman CA. High pregnancy anxiety during mid-gestation is associated with decreased gray matter density in 6-9-year-old children. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010;35:141–153.
  • Lobel M. Pregnancy and mental health. In: Friedman H, editor. Encyclopedia of Mental Health. San Diego, CA: Academic Press; 1998.
  • Stanton AL, Lobel M, Sears S, DeLuca RS. Psychosocial aspects of selected issues in women’s reproductive health: current status and future directions. J Consult Clin Psychol 2002;70:751–770.
  • Lobel M, Cannella DL, Graham JE, DeVincent C, Schneider J, Meyer BA. Pregnancy-specific stress, prenatal health behaviors, and birth outcomes. Health Psychol 2008;27:604–615.
  • DiPietro JA, Hilton SC, Hawkins M, Costigan KA, Pressman EK. Maternal stress and affect influence fetal neurobehavioral development. Dev Psychol 2002;38:659–668.
  • DiPietro JA, Ghera MM, Costigan K, Hawkins M. Measuring the ups and downs of pregnancy stress. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2004;25:189–201.
  • Huizink AC, Mulder EJ, Robles de Medina PG, Visser GH, Buitelaar JK. Is pregnancy anxiety a distinctive syndrome? Early Hum Dev 2004;79:81–91.
  • Roesch SC, Dunkel-Schetter C, Woo G, Hobel CJ. Modeling the types and timing of stress in pregnancy. Anxiety Stress Coping 2004;17:87–102.
  • Wadhwa PD, Sandman CA, Porto M, Dunkel-Schetter C, Garite TJ. The association between prenatal stress and infant birth weight and gestational age at birth: a prospective investigation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;169:858–865.
  • Dole N, Savitz DA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Siega-Riz AM, McMahon MJ, Buekens P. Maternal stress and preterm birth. Am J Epidemiol 2003;157:14–24.
  • Cohen RJ, Swerdlik ME, Phillips SM. Psychological testing and assessment. 3rd edition. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield; 1996.
  • Kline P. Handbook of Psychological Testing. 2nd edition. London: Routledge; 2000.
  • Ong AD, van Dulmen MHM. Oxford Handbook of Methods in Positive Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press; 2007.
  • Kazi A, Fatmi Z, Hatcher J, Niaz U, Aziz A. Development of a stress scale for pregnant women in the South Asian context: the A-Z Stress Scale. East Mediterr Health J 2009;15:353–361.
  • Green JM, Kafetsios K, Statham HE, Snowdon CM. Factor structure, validity and reliability of the Cambridge Worry Scale in a pregnant population. J Health Psychol 2003;8:753–764.
  • Jomeen J, Martin CR. The factor structure of the Cambridge Worry Scale in early pregnancy. J Prenat Perinat Psychol Health 2007;20:25–48.
  • Petersen JJ, Paulitsch MA, Guethlin C, Gensichen J, Jahn A. A survey on worries of pregnant women–testing the German version of the Cambridge Worry Scale. BMC Public Health 2009;9:490.
  • Carmona Monge FJ, Peñacoba-Puente C, Marín Morales D, Carretero Abellán I. Factor structure, validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the Cambridge Worry Scale. Midwifery 2010. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2010.11.006.
  • Goulet C, Polomeno V, Harel F. Canadian cross-cultural comparison of the high-risk pregnancy stress scale. Stress Med 1996;12:145–154.
  • Redshaw M, Martin C, Rowe R, Hockley C. The Oxford Worries about Labour Scale: women’s experience and measurement characteristics of a measure of maternal concern about labour and birth. Psychol Health Med 2009;14:354–366.
  • Burstein I, Kinch RA, Stern L. Anxiety, pregnancy, labor, and the neonate. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1974;118:195–199.
  • Levin JS. The factor structure of the Pregnancy Anxiety Scale. J Health Soc Behav 1991;32:368–381.
  • Hawkins M, DiPietro JA, Costigan KA. Social class differences in maternal stress appraisal during pregnancy. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1999;896:439–441.
  • DiPietro JA, Christensen AL, Costigan KA. The pregnancy experience scale-brief version. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2008;29:262–267.
  • Da Costa D, Brender W, Larouche J. A prospective study of the impact of psychosocial and lifestyle variables on pregnancy complications. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 1998;19:28–37.
  • Theut SK, Pedersen FA, Zaslow MJ, Rabinovich BA. Pregnancy subsequent to perinatal loss: parental anxiety and depression. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1988;27:289–292.
  • van den Bergh BR. The influence of maternal emotions during pregnancy on fetal and neonatal behavior. J Prenat Perinat Psychol Health 1990;5:119–130.
  • Huizink AC, de Medina PG, Mulder EJ, Visser GH, Buitelaar JK. Psychological measures of prenatal stress as predictors of infant temperament. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002;41:1078–1085.
  • Rini CK, Dunkel-Schetter C, Wadhwa PD, Sandman CA. Psychological adaptation and birth outcomes: the role of personal resources, stress, and sociocultural context in pregnancy. Health Psychol 1999;18:333–345.
  • Campos B, Dunkel-Schetter C, Walsh JA, Schenker M. Sharpening the focus on acculturative change. Hisp J Behav Sci 2007;29:209–224.
  • Ghosh JK, Wilhelm MH, Dunkel-Schetter C, Lombardi CA, Ritz BR. Paternal support and preterm birth, and the moderation of effects of chronic stress: a study in Los Angeles county mothers. Arch Womens Ment Health 2010;13:327–338.
  • Chen CH, Chen HM, Huang TH. Stressors associated with pregnancy as perceived by pregnant women during three trimesters. Gaoxiong Yi Xue Ke Xue Za Zhi 1989;5:505–509.
  • Yali AM, Lobel M. Coping and distress in pregnancy: an investigation of medically high risk women. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 1999;20:39–52.
  • Yali AM, Lobel M. Stress-resistance resources and coping in pregnancy. Anxiety Stress Coping 2002;15:289–309.
  • Alderdice FA, Lynn FA. The factor structure of the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire. Midwifery 2010. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2010.05.003.
  • Curry MA, Campbell RA, Christian M. Validity and reliability testing of the Prenatal Psychosocial Profile. Res Nurs Health 1994;17:127–135.
  • Misra DP, O’Campo P, Strobino D. Testing a sociomedical model for preterm delivery. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2001;15:110–122.
  • Orr ST, James SA, Casper R. Psychosocial stressors and low birth weight: development of a questionnaire. J Dev Behav Pediatr 1992;13:343–347.
  • Ohman SG, Grunewald C, Waldenström U. Women’s worries during pregnancy: testing the Cambridge Worry Scale on 200 Swedish women. Scand J Caring Sci 2003;17:148–152.
  • Monk C, Leight KL, Fang Y. The relationship between women’s attachment style and perinatal mood disturbance: implications for screening and treatment. Arch Womens Ment Health 2008;11:117–129.
  • Da Costa D, Dritsa M, Larouche J, Brender W. Psychosocial predictors of labor/delivery complications and infant birth weight: a prospective multivariate study. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2000;21:137–148.
  • Armstrong D, Hutti M. Pregnancy after perinatal loss: the relationship between anxiety and prenatal attachment. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 1998;27:183–189.
  • Armstrong DS. Emotional distress and prenatal attachment in pregnancy after perinatal loss. J Nurs Scholarsh 2002;34:339–345.
  • Armstrong DS. Impact of prior perinatal loss on subsequent pregnancies. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2004;33:765–773.
  • van Bussel JC, Spitz B, Demyttenaere K. Anxiety in pregnant and postpartum women. An exploratory study of the role of maternal orientations. J Affect Disord 2009;114:232–242.
  • Gutteling BM, de Weerth C, Zandbelt N, Mulder EJ, Visser GH, Buitelaar JK. Does maternal prenatal stress adversely affect the child’s learning and memory at age six? J Abnorm Child Psychol 2006;34:789–798.
  • Rini C, Dunkel-Schetter C, Hobel CJ, Glynn LM, Sandman CA. Effective social support: antecedents and consequences of partner support during pregnancy. Pers Relatsh 2006;13:207–229.
  • Campos B, Schetter CD, Abdou CM, Hobel CJ, Glynn LM, Sandman CA. Familialism, social support, and stress: positive implications for pregnant Latinas. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol 2008;14:155–162.
  • Dominguez TP, Dunkel-Schetter C, Glynn LM, Hobel C, Sandman CA. Racial differences in birth outcomes: the role of general, pregnancy, and racism stress. Health Psychol 2008;27:194–203.
  • Glynn LM, Schetter CD, Hobel CJ, Sandman CA. Pattern of perceived stress and anxiety in pregnancy predicts preterm birth. Health Psychol 2008;27:43–51.
  • Dominguez TP, Schetter CD, Mancuso R, Rini CM, Hobel C. Stress in African American pregnancies: testing the roles of various stress concepts in prediction of birth outcomes. Ann Behav Med 2005;29:12–21.
  • Gurung RAR, Dunkel-Schetter C, Collins N, Rini C, Hobel CJ. Psychosocial predictors of prenatal anxiety. J Soc Clin Psychol 2005;24:497–519.
  • Lobel M, DeVincent CJ, Kaminer A, Meyer BA. The impact of prenatal maternal stress and optimistic disposition on birth outcomes in medically high-risk women. Health Psychol 2000;19:544–553.
  • Gennaro S, Shults J, Garry DJ. Stress and preterm labor and birth in Black women. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2008;37:538–545.
  • Pluess M, Bolten M, Pirke KM, Hellhammer D. Maternal trait anxiety, emotional distress, and salivary cortisol in pregnancy. Biol Psychol 2010;83:169–175.
  • Lynn FA, Alderdice FA, Crealey GE, McElnay JC. Associations between maternal characteristics and pregnancy-related stress among low-risk mothers: an observational cross-sectional study. Int J Nurs Stud 2011;48:620–627.
  • Curry MA, Burton D, Fields J. The prenatal psychosocial profile: a research and clinical tool. Res Nurs Health 1998;21:211–219.
  • Dole N, Savitz DA, Siega-Riz AM, Hertz-Picciotto I, McMahon MJ, Buekens P. Psychosocial factors and preterm birth among African American and White women in central North Carolina. Am J Public Health 2004;94:1358–1365.
  • Kanner AD, Coyne JC, Schaefer C, Lazarus RS. Comparison of two modes of stress measurement: daily Hassles and uplifts versus major life events. J Behav Med 1981;4:1–39.
  • Pleshette N, Asch SS, Chase J. A study of anxieties during pregnancy, labor, the early and late puerperium. Bull N Y Acad Med 1956;32:436–455.
  • Lederman RP. Psychosocial adaptation in pregnancy: assessment of seven dimensions of maternal development. Engelwood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall; 1984.
  • Shiffman S, Hufford M, Hickcox M, Paty JA, Gnys M, Kassel JD. Remember that? A comparison of real-time versus retrospective recall of smoking lapses. J Consult Clin Psychol 1997;65:292–300.
  • Teasdale JD, Fogarty SJ. Differential effects of induced mood on retrieval of pleasant and unpleasant events from episodic memory. J Abnorm Psychol 1979;88:248–257.
  • Mitchell TR, Thompson L, Peterson E, Cronk R. Temporal Adjustments in the Evaluation of Events: The “Rosy View”. J Exp Soc Psychol 1997;33:421–448.
  • Glynn LM, Schetter CD, Wadhwa PD, Sandman CA. Pregnancy affects appraisal of negative life events. J Psychosom Res 2004;56:47–52.
  • Glynn LM, Wadhwa PD, Dunkel-Schetter C, Chicz-Demet A, Sandman CA. When stress happens matters: effects of earthquake timing on stress responsivity in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:637–642.
  • Wewers ME, Lowe NK. A critical review of visual analogue scales in the measurement of clinical phenomena. Res Nurs Health 1990;13:227–236.
  • Rosenthal L, Lobel M. Explaining racial disparities in adverse birth outcomes: unique sources of stress for Black American women. Soc Sci Med 2011;72:977–983.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.