Associations between coping strategies employed by expectant mothers and prenatal distress

Background. Pregnancy brings numerous anatomical, physiological, physical, psychological and social changes that can influence distress symptoms in expectant mothers. Increased maternal distress during pregnancy may be linked to coping strategies, partner and family support. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between coping strategies employed by expectant mothers and their distress experienced during pregnancy. Methods. The sample consisted of female participants who voluntarily responded to the survey. The selection criteria included were female gender, pregnancy, full age and Lithuanian mother tongue. A quantitative research strategy was chosen. The survey included socio-demographic questions, the Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI) and the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale. Results. The planning-preparation coping strategy was the most frequently used coping strategy (p < 0.001), compared with the avoidance and spiritual-positive coping strategies (planning-preparation subscale, 2.05 ± 0.58 points; spiritual-positive coping, 1.27 ± 0.79 points; and avoidance subscale, 1.32 ± 0.55 points). Overall, 42.6% of the participants experienced distress, with the least distress felt when their partner was involved (82.2%). Conclusions. 1. Statistically significant differences in the Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI) between trimester, singleton, and repeated pregnancies, and having or not having children were revealed. 2. Almost half of the participants (42.6%) experienced elevated levels of distress. 3. No significant correlations were found between the type of spiritual-positive coping used by expectant mothers and levels of distress, partner involvement and negative affect.