A comparison between adolescent and adult women on prenatal anxiety and self-confidence

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate anxiety and self-confidence in adolescent and adult pregnant women. Thirty-five adolescents, ages 13 to 16, and 58 adult women, ages 21 to 33, participated in this study. The majority of the sample was black and unmarried, and all attended a low-risk prenatal clinic for a first pregnancy. Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Pharis' Self-Confidence Scale were administered during the women's second trimester of pregnancy. Results indicated significant negative correlations for both state and trait anxiety during pregnancy and self-confidence for all women, but no significant differences in anxiety and self-confidence between the two groups. Results indicate the need for nurses to develop and implement plans for decreasing anxiety and enhancing self-confidence of all pregnant women.

PIP: A comparison was made of anxiety and self-confidence during pregnancy in adolescents and adults. Previous research indicated that anxiety may be related to physical and psychological complications in late pregnancy, labor, during childbirth, and in the postpartum period (for example, preeclampsia, prolonged labor, delivery using forceps, fetal distress, and low Apgar scores). Anxiety is influenced by age, education, coping skills, and fears. Self-confidence appears to influence how well a woman adapts to motherhood. The influence of age on this factor had not been determined and the link between the 2 psychological factors had not been examined. An understanding of the relationship between these factors and their differences in adolescents and adults will augment our understanding of the increased health risks experienced by pregnant adolescents. As part of a larger study, 35 first-time pregnant adolescents (aged 13-16) and 58 adults (aged 21-33) attending an antepartum clinic for low-income women completed a demographic questionnaire, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Self-Confidence Scale developed by Pharis in 1978. The women were classified as having a low-risk pregnancy; most were Black and single. Data were analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficients and t-tests. A significant negative correlation was found for the total group between State and Trait Anxiety and self-confidence (r = -.17, p = .05 in each case). Thus, the higher the anxiety level, the lower the self-confidence. No significant age differences were found for State Anxiety, Trait Anxiety, or for self-confidence in this population. The finding of a significant negative relationship between prenatal anxiety and self-confidence has implications for nursing practice and research. Assessing the needs, concerns, and self-confidence of each pregnant woman through the perinatal period will allow the planning of appropriate interventions. Individual or group education and counseling may help alleviate anxiety and boast self-confidence. Additional research in the relationship of anxiety, self-confidence, and adaptation to pregnancy and parenthood is needed to provide information about changes during the perinatal period. Specific interventions need to be implemented and assessed. The development of a patient assessment tool to be used by nurses throughout their patients' pregnancy and postpartum period would be valuable.