What is it about?
Pregnancy-related anxiety has been associated with adverse outcomes for both mother and child. Despite this, screening for pregnancy-related anxiety is not part of routine antenatal care partly due to the availability of a sound screening test. This study developed and evaluated the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale-Screener (PrAS-Screener) which is comprised of 15 items. Initial evidence indicate that the PrAS-Screener is a sound test that is easy to use, brief and therefore suitable for use in routine antenatal care for expectant mothers.
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Why is it important?
The availability of a reliable and valid instrument that is brief and easy to use advances screening for pregnancy-related anxiety in expectant mothers.
Perspectives
I hope this article will contribute to greater awareness and screening for pregnancy-related anxiety in expectant mothers amongst medical and allied health professionals. Most women experience and remember their pregnancy as a joyous time filled with anticipation for a new baby and motherhood. Unfortunately, there is a proportion of women in the community whose pregnancy is filled with fearful thoughts and feelings of dread. The availability of a screener for pregnancy-related anxiety will hopefully lead to these women being better supported during their pregnancy.
Rachel Dryer
Australian Catholic University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Psychometric properties of the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale—Screener., Psychological Assessment, May 2022, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/pas0001110.
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