A Study of Pregnancy-Related Anxiety with Spiritual Health Among Cesarean and Vaginal Delivery

Abstract

Background: One of the most important causes of anxiety during pregnancy is postpartum anxiety and the effects that this anxiety can have on the health of mother and infant and the role that studies have considered for spiritual health in promoting mental health. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between anxiety and spiritual health of mothers with cesarean section and vaginal delivery. Methods: This study was performed on 171 women referred to Amir al-momenin (PB) in Gerash Hospital (Fars, Iran) from August 2017 to October 2018. Convenience sampling was used. Data were collected through Demographic Information Questionnaire, Spielberger Anxiety Inventory, and Pulotzin and Ellison Spiritual Health Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods including mean, standard deviation and frequency percentage and analytical methods such as independent t-test and Pearson correlation. Results: There was no significant difference between the mean of total score of anxiety (P = 0.560) and spiritual health (P = 0.313) in mothers with cesarean section and vaginal delivery). There was no significant correlation between maternal spiritual health, maternal anxiety, cesarean delivery (r = -0.111, p = 0.269) and vaginal delivery (r = 0.152, p = 0.209). Conclusion: In this study, anxiety and spiritual health were not different among cesarean section and vaginal delivery women and unlike other studies, no correlation was found between spiritual health and anxiety. However, further studies in this field and attention to other strategies to control labor anxiety among women seem necessary.