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. 2018 Feb;58(1):128-131.
doi: 10.1111/ajo.12712. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

Distress levels in pregnant and matched non-pregnant women

Carol Cornsweet Barber  1 , Jessica Steadman  1
Affiliations

Distress levels in pregnant and matched non-pregnant women

Carol Cornsweet Barber et al. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018 Feb.

Abstract

This study examined self-rated symptoms of distress (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-DASS-21 and Perceived Stress Scale-PSS-4) among 93 pregnant women and a comparison group of 93 non-pregnant women matched on age and educational attainment. There were no significant differences between the groups, either on mean levels of distress or on proportions above a clinical cut-off point. Overall, 22%, 31% and 16% of pregnant women reported experiencing at least moderate levels of depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. Implications for conceptualising distress in pregnancy and identifying and providing support for the substantial minority who are distressed are discussed.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; perinatal mental health; pregnancy; stress.

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