The relationship between general health and coping style with perceived stress in primigravida healthy pregnant women: Using the PATH model

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to analyze relationships among general health, coping style, and perceived stress in healthy primigravida pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted at public health clinics in Hamadan city, Iran between July and December 2015. In total, 380 pregnant women were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Revised Prenatal Coping Inventory and General Health Questionnaire. Perceived stress was assessed through an interview comprised of open-ended questions. The final PATH model fit well; general health (β = 0.02) as well as anxiety and sleep disorders (β = 0.03) were slightly directly associated with perceived stress, and only planning–preparation was related to perceived stress through general health (β = 0.09). The findings enhance the knowledge gained from previous perinatal stress research. General health status was directly related to stress, and coping style was indirectly related to stress. Coping styles may mediate the relationship between general health status and perceived stress, suggesting that midwives should attempt to improve the general health of women to reduce stress and its consequences during pregnancy by teaching patients appropriate coping styles. Further studies on the effect of coping style interventions on stress are warranted.

KEYWORDS:

• Coping style
• general health
• PATH model
• prenatal care
• stress psychological

Acknowledgments

The project is a part of doctoral thesis. The authors acknowledge the Research Deputy of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, the staff of the health center for their collaboration, and mothers for their participation.

Details of ethics approval

The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (approval number: 9403111058)

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Authorship

This study was one part of the doctoral dissertation of A.M. The conception, design of the study, and data collection process were undertaken by A.M.

F.SH was the first supervisor who also contributed to the design of the study and reporting of the results. F.SH, F.S, and F.A as the second supervisors contributed to all the stages of the study. Analysis, interpretation, and reporting were supervised by G.HR and A.M. All authors contributed to the drafting and revising of the article and are in agreement with final version of the manuscript to be submitted to the journal; they also meet the criteria of authorship.

Additional information

Funding

The project is a part of doctoral dissertation, and it was funded by the Mother and Child Care Research Center in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan city, Iran. [grant number9403111058].