PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS RELATED TO EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES DURING PREGNANCY

This study explored a multifactorial model for the understanding of th e factors related to the intensity of prenatal emotional disturbances. Data were gathered from 213 pregnant women during the second trimeste r of pregnancy. Participants were assessed according to a number of ps ychosocial variables. Two types of prenatal emotional disturbances wer e examined: depressive symptoms and ambivalence and fears related to m aternity. A path analysis indicated that four risk factor domains had a direct effect on depressive symptom level: locus of control; interpe rsonal relationships; stressors; and psychiatric history. Four risk fa ctor domains also had a direct effect on the level of ambivalence and fears: sociodemographics; depressive symptom level; interpersonal rela tionships; and family history. Several factors showed an indirect effe ct on one or both of the disturbances. These results indicate that the study of factors related to prenatal emotional disturbances benefits from a multifactorial model assessing direct and indirect effects. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.