title: Relationships among stress coping styles and pregnancy complications among women exposed to Hurricane Katrina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship between maternal stress exposure, stress coping styles, and pregnancy complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative, cross-sectional, and prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tulane-Lakeside Hospital, New Orleans, LA and Women's Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 146 women (122 from New Orleans and 24 from Baton Rouge), who were pregnant during or immediately after Hurricane Katrina.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were interviewed regarding their hurricane experiences and perceived stress, and coping styles were assessed using the Brief COPE. Medical charts were also reviewed to obtain information about pregnancy outcomes. Logistic regression was performed to determine possible associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hurricane exposure was significantly associated with induction of labor (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.03, 1.86], P = .03) and current perceived stress (aOR = 1.50, CI [1.34, 1.99], P < .01). Stress perception significantly predisposed to pregnancy-induced hypertension (aOR = 1.16, CI [1.05, 1.30], P < .01) and gestational diabetes (aOR = 1.13, CI [1.02, 1.25], P = .03). Use of planning, acceptance, humor, instrumental support, and venting coping styles were associated with a significantly reduced occurrence of pregnancy complications (P < .05). Higher rates for gestational diabetes was found among women using the denial coping style (aOR = 2.25, CI [1.14, 4.45], P = .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to disaster-related stress may complicate pregnancy, whereas some coping styles may mitigate its effects. Further research should explore how coping styles may mitigate or exacerbate the effect of major stressors and how positive coping styles can be encouraged or augmented.
authors.forename: Olurinde
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oni
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harville
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buekens
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004190:Disasters; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D055820:New Orleans; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hurricane Katrina; cesarean; coping styles; gestational diabetes; induction of labor; pregnancy-induced hypertension; stress