Assessment of the relationship between socio-demographic factors and intensity of perceived stress in a group of women hospitalized due to miscarriage

Abstract

Introduction and objective In the literature, there are reports that miscarriage causes deterioration of the mental condition of women. The presented study made it possible to identify socio-demographic risk factors of an increased level of stress. Objective The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between socio-demographic factors and the intensity of perceived stress inae group of women who were hospitalized due to miscarriage. Material and methods 321 women aged 18–35 years hospitalized due to miscarriage took part in the study. The diagnostic survey method – the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the author›s questionnaire were used. Results Age determined the intensity of stress, which was greater in the group of women aged up to 25 years than in the group of older women. Place of residence, education and financial situation did not determine the level of subjectively perceived stress in the group of women hospitalized due to miscarriage. Income determined the intensity of stress, which was the highest in the group of women with an income of up to 700 PLN per person in the family. The occurrence of miscarriages did not determine the level of subjectively perceived stress. Conclusions There is a correlation between sociodemographic factors and the intensity of perceived stress in the group of women who were hospitalized due to miscarriage. The assessment of the correlation between sociodemographic factors and the intensity of perceived stress made it possible to distinguish a group of women at increased risk of developing an increased level of stress, which includes women: up to 25 years of age and in the age range 31–35 years, with an income for one family member up to 700 PLN.

Keywords

• miscarriage
• stress
• socio-demographic factors