title: Stress-buffering effects of psychosocial resources on physiological and psychological stress response in pregnant women.
abstract: Sixty healthy pregnant women (aged 21-35 years), including 30 pregnant women at the beginning of second trimester and 30 women at the beginning of third trimester underwent a psychosocial stress test. Physiological (salivary free cortisol levels, salivary alpha-amylase levels) and psychological (perceived stress, mood, anxiety) responses to standardized psychosocial stress have been brought in association with psychosocial resources (self-efficacy and daily uplifts). Predictions revealed that higher resources predict lower physiological and psychological stress responses and higher mood levels. We conclude from our data that psychosocial resources appear to dampen psychological and physiological stress response during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/Box 26, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nierop
authors.forename: Petra H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.forename: Aliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bratsikas
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ehlert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D015415:Biomarkers; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000201:enzymology; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone