Conceptualization, measurement, and effects of pregnancy-specific stress: review of research using the original and revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire

Abstract

Pregnancy-specific stress (PSS) arises from the numerous changes that women experience during pregnancy and from their concerns about childbirth and the health of their offspring. Prolonged or elevated maternal stress heightens risk for poor fetal, infant, and child outcomes. The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ) and its expanded successor, the revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ), were developed to assess PSS, but their psychometric properties and findings are not well-documented. We reviewed research using the PDQ (n = 45) or NuPDQ (n = 37). Results establish that PSS as measured by these instruments is common in pregnancy; PSS is associated with sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, perceptions of pregnancy, health behaviors, maternal health, and birth outcomes. The NuPDQ is an especially appropriate tool to assess PSS, with demonstrated reliability and convergent, concurrent, and predictive validity. The ability to assess PSS in a reliable and valid manner is critical to advance research and improve maternal and child health.

Keywords: Birth outcomes; Pregnancy; Reliability; Stress; Validity; Women’s health.