Stressful events and support during birth: The effect on anxiety, mood and perceived control

摘要

Following childbirth, 16% of women may have anxiety disorders and 2% develop PTSD. It is important toidentify factors that influence women's emotional reactions to birth. This study investigated howstressful events and support from hospital staff during birth each affects women's anxiety and perceivedcontrol.Methods: A between-subjects experimental design used birth stories to manipulate levels of stressfulevents (high/low) and support (high/low) during birth. Participants (n = 137) imagined undergoing one ofthe birth experiences and rated their perceived control, mood, and anxiety.Results: Manipulation checks indicated the birth stories reliably elicited mood responses. Anxiety, mood,and perceived control were more strongly influenced by support than by stressful events. There was asignificant interaction between stressful events and support for perceived control.Conclusions: Level of support from hospital staff during birth has a greater effect on women's emotionalreactions than stressful events. Supportive care during birth increases perceived control and reducesanxiety and negative mood.