Pregnancy-Related Anxiety

This book provides a collective examination of the theoretical, empirical, and clinical perspectives of pregnancy-related anxiety. Pregnancy-related anxiety is a distinct form of anxiety that is experienced by pregnant women and is characterized by pregnancy-specific fears and worries. This form of anxiety has been associated with a range of negative obstetric, neonatal, and maternal outcomes. There has been increased research interest in this form of anxiety, particularly over the last 15 years. The content is organized in three sections. The first section provides a thorough understanding of pregnancy-related anxiety, ranging from its historical development, evidence of its distinctiveness to the antecedents and outcomes of this anxiety for the mother and child. The second section examines key clinical issues around diagnosis and treatment specifically, current diagnosis/screening for this anxiety and approaches for intervention and treatment. The final section considers emerging areas of research such as pertinent issues around culture and acculturation which are key issues in an increasingly multicultural world. Moreover, the effects of pregnancy-related anxiety on the woman's broader psychosocial functioning are considered with specific chapters on body image and sexual abuse, two key areas of concern. A seminal resource, this book provides a broad examination of the topic from multiple frameworks and perspectives which sets this book apart from other books in print. This book intends to inform and stimulate future research studies, as well as increase awareness and understanding of pregnancy-related anxiety. It is a must-read for researchers, educators, clinicians, and higher education students who care about delivering better support and services to pregnant women, particularly those who are vulnerable and distressed.

Rachel Dryer is an Associate Professor at Australian Catholic University, Australia. Robyn Brunton is a Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Australia.

Section 1: Understanding pregnancy-related anxiety 1: What is pregnancy-related Anxiety? 2: Pregnancy-related Anxiety as Distinct from state/trait anxiety and depression 3: Pregnancy-related anxiety and affective disorders in pregnancy 4: Antecedents of pregnancy-related anxiety 5: Pregnancy-related anxiety and birth outcomes 6: Examining the relation between maternal pregnancy-related anxiety and child development Section 2: Implications for practice 7: Current diagnostic practices and their limitations 8: Review of current scales and their psychometric properties 9: Current psychological and psychosocial treatments for anxiety during pregnancy Section 3: Future directions 10: Cross-cultural perspectives of pregnancy-related anxiety 11: Acculturation and antenatal anxiety in migrant women 12: Psychosocial functioning and childhood sexual abuse 13: Psychosocial functioning, body image, and pregnancy-related anxiety