The effect of stress management training on perceived stress, anxiety and hopelessness levels of women with high-risk pregnancy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stress management training on the perceived stress, anxiety and hopelessness levels of women with high-risk pregnancy. The sample of this experimental study consisted of 206 high-risk pregnant women (intervention = 103; control = 103). Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In the second follow-up after the training, there was a statistically significant difference amongst the Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory mean scores in the intervention and control groups (p < .05). Perceived stress scores of the control group who did not receive training during discharge increased. The state and trait anxiety scores and hopelessness scores of the intervention group received training decreased compared with the control group.

IMPACT STATEMENT

• What is already known on this subject? Mental problems such as anxiety and stress are more common in high-risk pregnancies compared with healthy pregnancies.

• What do the results of this study add? After the training 51.4% of women in the intervention group, 75.7% of women in the control group had stress. The state and trait anxiety and hopelessness scores of the intervention group having training decreased compared to the control group.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Health professionals should provide stress management training in high-risk pregnant women to reducing perceived stress, anxiety and hopelessness levels.

Keywords:

• Anxiety
• high-risk pregnancy
• hopelessness
• perceived stress
• stress management training

Acknowledgements

As authors, we would like to thank the individuals who agreed to participate in the research.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Board (decision no: 2018-01/01) and written permission was obtained from the hospital where the study was conducted. The study was conducted in accordance with the Principles of the Helsinki Declaration.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.