Influencia de las estrategias de afrontamiento en las preocupaciones específicas del embarazo / Influence of coping strategies in the specific worries of pregnancy

El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar la influencia de las diferentes estrategias de afrontamiento en las preocupaciones específicas de embarazo. Se evaluó a una muestra formada por 286 gestantes en su primera mitad de embarazo, a las que se administró el Cuestionario de Afrontamiento al Estrés, y la Cambridge Worry Scale. Además se recogieron variables sociodemográficas (edad, nivel de estudios, embarazos previos, situación laboral y planificación de embarazo). Se observó una relación significativa entre las preocupaciones del embarazo y las estrategias de autofocalización negativa, expresión emocional abierta y evitación. El análisis de regresión evidenció una influencia significativa de la estrategia de autofocalización negativa y la paridad sobre las preocupaciones del embarazo. Estos resultados sugieren que un afrontamiento caracterizado por una percepción de incapacidad para manejar las situaciones, tiene un efecto negativo en la condición psicológica de la gestante. La experiencia de un parto previo podría atenuar este efecto. De este modo, se destaca la importancia de la atención psicológica en la embarazada, con la finalidad de que, desde el inicio de la gestación, y especialmente en primíparas, se desarrollen recursos para adaptarse a la nueva situación y mejorar la salud de la mujer (AU)

The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of the different coping strategies on specific pregnancy-related worries. We assessed a sample comprised of 285 pregnant women during the first half of pregnancy who underwent the Coping Strategies Questionnaire, and the Cam-bridge Worry Scale. In addition, sociodemographic variables were collected (age, education, prior pregnancies, occupational situation and pregnancy planning). We observed a significant relationship between pregnancy-related worries and negative auto-focused coping, overt emotional expression coping and avoidance coping. Regression analysis revealed a significant influence of negative auto-focused coping and number of children on pregnancy-related worries. These results suggest that coping characterised by perception of incapacity to handle situations has a negative effect on the pregnant woman’s psychological condition. The experience of a prior birth could reduce this effect. Therefore, we highlight the importance of psychological care for the pregnant woman with the purpose of, from the onset of gestation and especially in women pregnant for the first time, developing resources to adapt to the new situation and improve women’s health (AU)

Factor structure, validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the Cambridge Worry Scale.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the factor structure and reliability of the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS) in the Spanish population. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study using a postal questionnaire. SETTING: The study was conducted at a university hospital in Madrid between October 2007 and December 2008. PARTICIPANTS: 285 Spanish pregnant women. METHODS: Factor structure of a Spanish version (original 16 items test and reduced 13 items version) of the scale was analysed through exploratory factor analysis. FINDINGS: The Spanish version of the reduced 13 items version replicated the original factor structure. The internal consistency was good for the total scale (0.83) and for the subscales (0.70-0.79). Significant positive correlations between the CWS and its subscales with anxiety, depression and neuroticism were found. Similarly, acceptable to good reliability and convergent validity indexes were obtained for the original 16 items test. DISCUSSION: The present study confirmed the validity of the two Spanish versions of the CWS (16 item and reduced 13 item). Considering the performance of two of the three items eliminated from the original version and the universality in the use of the short version we recommend the use of the reduced 13 item scale. Practical implications of the use of the CWS in maternity care are discussed.