Stress during pregnancy and stress coping

Abstract

The present study aimed to clarify the relationship between stress factors during pregnancy and stress responses based on the conceptual framework that stress coping is significantly correlated with social support, the level of satisfaction with life, and mental health status. Between April 25, 2011 and March 9, 2012, a questionnaire survey was conducted involving a total of 573 pregnant women (175, 207, and 191 women during the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively).

As a result, no significant differences were noted in the stress factors or stress response score among the 3 trimesters. The possibility of receiving social support was high in all trimesters, and the level of satisfaction with life was high for items regarding husbands. The stress of pregnancy was weaker when the level of satisfaction with life was higher and the degree of mental fatigue was lower. On the other hand, the stress of pregnancy was stronger when daily stress was greater. Both the statements regarding stress factors and coping most commonly included information about husbands. Thus, while husband-related matters served as stress factors, these matters also played an important role in stress coping.

The results of the present study suggest that, to relieve stress factors and facilitate stress coping, it is important for pregnant women to increase their level of satisfaction with life and decrease the level of mental fatigue, particularly to nurture their relationship with their husbands and promote support from them.