Factors Affecting Perceived Stress and Self-Care Agency Pregnant Women

Abstract

Studies have been conducted to investigate the factors affecting perceived stress in pregnancy and to identify attempts to reduce it. However, it has been determined that there is a gap in the literature on the studies conducted to determine the effects of stress on the ability to use self-care.Aim:This study was to assess the effect of the developmental stress perceived by pregnant admitted to outpatient clinics on their “self-care agency”. Sample: The data were collected from the pregnant women who presented to the pregnancy outpatient clinics of three hospitals in Turkey. The study sample included 1022 pregnant women. Tools:The data were collected with the Socio-demographic Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale and Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale. In the analysis of the data, the SPSS program. Permissions needed to perform the study were obtained. Results:The mean total score from the Perceived Stress Scale was 25.89±6.70 and from the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale was 103.57±19.35. There was a significant negative difference between the mean total Perceived Stress Scale score and the mean total Exercises of Self-Care Agency Scale score. Conclusion: It was determined that the perceived stress of the pregnant women affected their self-care agency and that the self-care agency decreased as stress increased. Recommendation: Clinical nurses should support pregnant women to reduce perceived stress and increase self-care. Obstetric and psychiatric nurses should cooperate in the care of pregnant patients

Keywords: Perceived developmental stress, perceived stress, self-care agency, pregnancy.

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/59-07