Examining the Association Between Health Anxiety and Perceived Stress in High-Risk Pregnancies: The Moderating Role of Coping Strategies and Partner Responsiveness

Background/Objective: High-risk pregnancies result from pre-existing or pregnancy-onset conditions that may affect maternal and/or foetal health. These conditions can intensify health anxiety, which ranges from mild health concerns to severe health-related anxiety, and is associated with elevated stress and potential adverse pregnancy outcomes. Identifying factors that may moderate the association between health anxiety and perceived stress is therefore crucial for developing tailored interventions. Methods: This study involved 134 women experiencing high-risk pregnancies and examined the associations between health anxiety (Main Anxiety and Negative Consequences) and perceived stress by testing the potential moderating role of Coping Strategies and Partner Responsiveness. Participants completed self-report measures. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and moderation analyses were conducted. Results: Data revealed that both Main Anxiety and Negative Consequences were associated with higher perceived stress, with Avoiding coping strategies showing significant main and moderating associations, characterized by stronger relationships between health anxiety and perceived stress. Turning to Religion coping strategies showed similar associations for Negative Consequences. Conversely, Positive Attitude and Problem-Solving coping strategies, and perceived Partner Responsiveness were associated with lower perceived stress and weaker relationships between health anxiety and perceived stress in the corresponding moderation models. Conclusions: Findings identified specific individual and relational factors associated with perceived stress in high-risk pregnancies, which may inform the development of tailored psychological interventions.