A Study on Stress and Anxiety Levels in First Trimester Vs Third Trimester Pregnant Women of Middle-Class Families
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55544/ijrah.dyparts.17Keywords:
pregnancy, stress, anxiety, first trimester, third trimester, middle-class women, maternal mental healthAbstract
The present study aimed to compare stress and anxiety levels between first-trimester and third-trimester pregnant women from middle-class families. A total of 88 participants were selected comprising 45 women in their first trimester and 43 in their third trimester of pregnancy. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to measure stress and anxiety levels, respectively. Independent sample t-tests were employed to examine group differences, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation was used to assess the relationship between stress and anxiety. Results indicated that third-trimester pregnant women reported significantly higher stress (M = 29.42, SD = 5.448). Anxiety levels were also significantly higher in the third trimester (M = 53.16, SD = 12.878) compared to the first trimester (M = 27.80, SD = 6.979). Findings suggest increased psychological challenges faced during the later stages of pregnancy and the importance of targeted mental health support for pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester.
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