The Sense of Coherence in Early Pregnancy and Crisis Support and Posttraumatic Stress After Pregnancy Loss: A Prospective Study

Abstract

A. Antonovsky (1987) defined the sense of coherence (SOC) as the ability to perceive a stressor as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. In this prospective study of pregnant women, the authors tested the relationships between the SOC in early pregnancy and crisis support and symptom severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression after pregnancy loss. A total of 1,372 women completed questionnaires in early pregnancy, including measures for the SOC and depressive symptoms, and were followed for every 2 months thereafter until 1 month after the birth due-date. Of this group, 126 women had a pregnancy loss, and 118 of them completed measures for crisis support, PTSD, and depression about 1 month later. The results showed that a stronger SOC in early pregnancy renders women somewhat resilient to symptoms of PTSD and depression after pregnancy loss, which appears to be due to the mobilization of crisis support.

Key Words:

• predictors
• pregnancy loss
• posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD)
• sense of coherence
• trauma

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Johan W. S. Vlaeyen

Dr Engelhard, Dr van den Hout, and Dr Vlaeyen are with the Department of Medical, Clinical, and Experimental Psychology at Maastricht University.