Summary: | Introduction
The period of pregnancy is associated with some level of physical,
emotional and psychological stress which can be particularly heightened and have more
deleterious impact when the expectant mother is a teenager who needs higher level
of resilience to cope with the challenges linked with motherhood. This study aimed to
assess the level of perceived pregnancy-related stress and its relationship with the level
of resilience.
Methods
An analytical cross-sectional study design was employed using a structured
questionnaire and the study was conducted among 241 adolescents. Perceived stress and
resilience were measured using Perceived Stress Scale, and Wagnild & Young Resilience
Scale, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using percentages,
means with standard deviations, Student’s t-test, Pearson correlation, one-way analysis of
variance (ANOVA) and multivariate logistic regression.
Results
Majority of the respondents (194; 80.5%) were categorized as having moderate
level of perceived pregnancy-related stress and 186 (77.2%) had low level of resilience. A
significant inverse relationship was found between perceived pregnancy-related stress and
resilience (r=-0.15, p=0.02). At multivariate level, three variables emerged as independent
predictors of higher level of pregnancy-related stress: feeling of shame (OR=3.39; CI:
1.01–11.34), male partner’s rejection of pregnancy (OR=3.43; CI: 1.45–8.12) and lack of
parental involvement in care (OR= 3.56; CI: 1.65–7.71).
Conclusions
There is a significant inverse relationship between perceived pregnancy-related
stress and resilience among teenagers in Nigeria, with higher resilience among the
older age groups and those who had support from significant others.
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