Psychosocial factors, female fertility and pregnancy: a prospective study — Part II: Pregnancy

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine whether psychosocial factors have an influence on the progress and outcome of pregnancy and whether personality-related or stress factors are significant in this respect. One hundred and ninety-one nulliparas without a history of infertility were prospectively studied gynecologically and psychiatrically. Life changes and changes in stress factors were monitored throughout the study period and obstetric complications were registered. By the end of the study period 120 (63%) of the subjects had given birth, 38 (19%) had abortion, 22 (12%) did not conceive and the remaining 11 (6%) discontinued. Certain psychosocial factors (eg. life changes, anxiety, subjectively estimated physically and mentally stressful work) were associated with complications of pregnancy. In the logistic regression analysis the psychosocial stress factors were more strongly associated with the outcome of pregnancy than the factors related to personality. Adjusting for the stress-buffering factors (personality, coping methods and social support) did not reduce the original association.