Psychosocial Factors Associated with Anxiety and Delivery Pain

Abstract

Background: Anxiety and pain are physiologic symptoms experienced by mothers during birth delivery. However, if these symptoms are not well-managed they can cause low birth weight, prematurity, prolonged labor, and postpartum depression. This study aimed to analyze the psychosocial factors associated with anxiety and delivery pain. Subjects and Method: This was an analytical observational study with cross sectional design. The study was conducted at Gajahan community health center, Surakarta Hospital, and Muhammadiyah Hospital, Delanggu, Central Java, from December 2017 to January 2018. A total sample of 166 delivery mothers were selected for this study by purposive sampling. The dependent variables were anxiety and delivery pain. The independent variables were parity, psychological stress, coping mechanism, family income, and family support. The data were collected by questionnaire. Anxiety was measured by modified Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionaire (PRAQ_R). The data were analyzed by path analysis. Results: Delivery pain increased with higher anxiety (b= 0.30, SE= 0.02, p<0.001). Anxiety decreased with higher delivery pain (b =-1.19, SE= 0.02, p<0.001) and increased with higher stress (b = 0.92, SE= 0.09, p<0.001). Anxiety decreased with coping mechanism (b =-0.31, SE = 0.08, p<0.001) and parity (b=-0.86, SE= 0.37, p<0.001). Stress decreased with better coping mechanism (b=-0.48, SE= 0.08, p<0.001), higher family income (b =-0.16, SE = 0.04, p<0.001), parity (b=-2.13, SE= 0.36, p<0.001), and stronger family support (b =-0.22, SE = 0.06, p=0.007). Coping mechanism increased with parity (b = 1.39, SE = 0.33, p<0.001) and strong family support (b= 0.46, SE= 0.06, p<0.001). Conclusion: Delivery pain increases with higher anxiety. Anxiety associated with delivery pain, stress, and coping mechanism.