title: Psychological correlates of decision-making during prenatal diagnosis: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Decision-making during prenatal diagnosis has not been extensively studied. We aimed to determine psychological correlates and level of decisional conflict following prenatal diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 159 pregnant women were consecutively enrolled. All participants completed three questionnaires (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, the Berlin Social Support scales and the Decisional Conflict scale) at three time points (T1 - waiting period between prenatal testing and disclosure of the results; T2 - decision phase within 3 days from test result disclosure; T3 - digestion period within 3 weeks from disclosure).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with fetal anomaly who terminate pregnancy were significantly more anxious and depressed than controls at each time point. Additionally, women with a normal fetus who terminate pregnancy presented higher level of anxiety and depression compared with controls at T2. Women who terminated pregnancy showed increased uncertainty scores at T2 and T3. Anxious and depressed individuals at T2 (decision period) were more uncertain about their choice at T3 compared to women with normal levels of anxiety and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decision to terminate pregnancy, irrespective of test results, may determine emotional distress and psychiatric morbidity. Women who were anxious and depressed at decision appeared to be more uncertain about their choices as time passed by. A careful assessment of women during prenatal diagnosis should be useful to identify women who may benefit from psychological support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Neurosciences, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. natascia.brondino@libero.it
authors.forename: Natascia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brondino
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colombini
authors.forename: Niccolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morandotti
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Podavini
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Vidovich
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Formica
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arossa
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Silvestri
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caverzasi
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003657:Decision Making; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors