Perinatal emotional states: a comparative study between two cohorts recruited in a Mediterranean environment

ABSTRACT

Experiencing negative emotional states during pregnancy has been linked to adverse outcomes for mother and offspring. Our study aims were to compare the perinatal emotional states and obstetrical variables between pregnant women recruited in Spain (n = 202) and Italy (n = 103), and to investigate prenatal anxiety related factors. The study had two phases. In the 1^st phase (3^rd trimester of pregnancy), prenatal anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI); other prenatal and sociodemographic variables were also collected. In the 2^nd phase (40 days postpartum), the STAI and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were administered. Compared to the Spanish sample, the Italian sample presented higher STAI state and STAI factor 1 mean scores (22.5 vs. 18.6 and 10.0 vs. 7.2), shorter gestations (mean gestation weeks: 39.1 vs. 39.8), more unplanned pregnancies (31.1% vs. 16.4%), and more cesareans deliveries (42.5% vs. 16.0%). Low socioeconomic levels, younger ages, previous miscarriages and unplanned pregnancies were related to prenatal anxiety. Postpartum depression rates was 31.3% and there were no differences between countries. Our results suggested that it may be interesting in both countries to create a prenatal monitoring protocol that attaches more importance to emotional wellbeing both during pregnancy and in the long term.

KEYWORDS:

• Italy
• perinatal emotional states
• postnatal depression
• prenatal anxiety
• risk factors
• Spain

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study is financially supported by a grant (PI12/02777) from the Health Research Fund of the Ministry of Health and Consumption (Madrid, Spain). [Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Ministerio de Sanidad 405 y Consumo].