Self-esteem and mental health during early pregnancy

Jomeen, Julie; Martin, Colin R.

Abstract

Objective.The relationship of self-esteem to other indicators of psychological distress such as anxiety and depression has seldom been explored in relation to antenatal care. However, there is increasing evidence that low self-esteem has a significant negative impact on a variety of health outcomes during pregnancy and following delivery. The current study investigated the predictive ability of self-esteem, assessed by self-report questionnaire, in predicting the psychological status of women early in pregnancy.Design.A cross-sectional study design was used with all observations taken on one occasion.Setting.Participants were recruited from two hospital antenatal clinics and a community antenatal clinic.Participants.A convenience sample of 129 women recruited consecutively from the above settings at 14 weeks gestation.Main outcome measures.The adult version of the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory version 2 (CFSEI-2) and self-report measures of anxiety and depression.Results.Personal self-esteem was found to be a significant predictor of psychological status in terms of both anxiety and depression.Conclusions.It is concluded that self-esteem is an easily assessed, but clinically useful psychological domain that health professionals should consider during their encounters with this clinical group.

Citation

Jomeen, J., & Martin, C. R. (2005). Self-esteem and mental health during early pregnancy. Clinical Effectiveness in Nursing, 9(1-2), 92-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cein.2004.09.001

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Nov 2, 2004
• Publication Date: 2005-03
• Journal: Clinical Effectiveness in Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1361-9004
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 1-2
• Pages: 92-95
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cein.2004.09.001
• Keywords: Self-esteem; Pregnancy
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/409562
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cein.2004.09.001