Relationship between Demographic and Obstetric Factors and Perceived Stress with Optimism in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background and purpose: Pregnancy is recognized as a stressful experience. Optimism in future gives a person a positive vision to analyze a stressful situation. Various factors are associated with optimism in pregnant women. The present study aimed to assess the demographic, obstetric, and stress factors with optimism in pregnant women. Materials and methods: This descriptive-correlative study was conducted in 500 pregnant women attending 20 health centers in Mashhad, Iran 2016. They were selected via multi-stage sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, obstetrics and gynecology questionnaire, Life Orientation Test- Revised, and Perceived Stress Scale. Results: The mean score for optimism in pregnant women was 15.6 ± 4.0. Qualitative variables such as education of mother and spouse, housing status, income, history of labor, previous experiences of delivery and concerns about the child's gender was significantly associated with optimism in pregnant women (P< 0.001).There was a significant positive correlation between optimism and some quantitative variables including, maternal age (R=0.17, P< 0.001), number of children (R=0.13, P <0.006), parity (R=0.09, P< 0.03), and gestational age (R=0.2, P< 0.001). However, numbers of dead birth (R=-0.17 P< 0.001) and abortions (R=-0.15 P< 0.001) and perceived stress (R=-0.77 P< 0.001) were found to have inverse correlation with optimism. Conclusion: There is a relationship between demographic, obstetric characteristics and perceived stress and optimism. With higher levels of optimism in pregnancy, the mothers would experience lower rates of stress.

Keywords

• optimism
• pregnancy
• stress
• demographic factors
• obstetric factors