Greek validation of the Pregnancy Experience Scale–Brief (PES-Brief): psychometric evaluation of prenatal stress in pregnant women

Prenatal psychological distress may affect maternal well-being and fetal outcomes. The Pregnancy Experience Scale–Brief Version (PES-Brief) captures both positive (uplifts) and negative (hassles) experiences during pregnancy, providing insight into maternal emotional appraisal. Longitudinal observational validation study. To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the PES-Brief in the Greek language. A total of 156 primiparous pregnant women completed the PES-Brief at two time points: 15th–20th weeks of gestation (Phase A) and 36th–38th weeks (Phase B). Psychometric analyses were conducted using Phase A data, while Phase B data were used to explore longitudinal responsiveness. PES-Brief scores were correlated with perceived stress assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14), and anxiety assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I and STAI-II). Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, construct validity (exploratory factor analysis), and convergent validity with perceived stress and anxiety. Exploratory factor analysis supported the original two-factor structure of uplifts and hassles. PES-Brief subscale scores were significantly associated with perceived stress and anxiety, supporting convergent validity. Statistically significant changes were observed between early-to-mid and late pregnancy (Phase A and Phase B). The Greek PES-Brief demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, a clear two-factor structure, and meaningful longitudinal correlations across gestational stages. It represents a reliable tool for assessing pregnancy-related emotional experiences in research and clinical settings.