Prenatal fear of childbirth and anxiety sensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
Fear of childbirth (FOC) or what is historically referred to as tokophobia (a phobic state where a woman avoids childbirth despite desperately wanting a baby), is known to complicate the delivery process. In this study, the relationship of Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) to FOC was examined given that AS is a risk factor for other fears. Specifically, the contribution of three AS dimensions (physical, psychological or social concerns) relative to other factors (e.g., parity of the mother, trait anxiety) in accounting for FOC was explored.


METHODS
Women in their final 4 months of pregnancy (n = 110) completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Scale and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Most demographic variables were non-significant in predicting FOC with the exception of participants' parity. Multiple regression analysis revealed that AS-physical concerns significantly predicted elevated FOC even after controlling for parity and trait anxiety; higher levels of AS-physical concerns, higher trait anxiety, and expecting a first child all independently predicted greater FOC.


CONCLUSIONS
Variance in FOC is explained, in part, by AS-physical concerns. Further, AS-physical concerns are distinct from trait anxiety in predicting FOC. Similar to other fears, the results support the possibility that AS may be a risk factor for elevated FOC.
Spice
Kerry
K
Faculty of Education, Research & Graduate Programs, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S0A2, Canada.
Jones
Shannon L
SL
Hadjistavropoulos
Heather D
HD
Kowalyk
Kristine
K
Stewart
Sherry H
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology; D003469:Culture; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010298:Parity; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult