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Conceptualizations, measurement, and effects of prenatal maternal stress on birth outcomes

Conceptualizations, measurement, and effects of prenatal maternal stress on birth outcomes This article analyzes the conceptual and methodological approaches which have been used to investigate effects of prenatal maternal stress on birth outcomes and highlights the major findings of this research. By viewing the most widely used operational definitions of prenatal stress in a broader theoretical framework, it can be seen that most studies have failed to conceptualize stress reliably. This, in addition to common methodological and design flaws which are described in the article, has produced equivocal findings about the role of stress in adverse birth outcomes such as preterm delivery and low birth weight. Recent studies using more powerful, multidimensional approaches to stress definition and measurement provide more definitive evidence and suggest some precise effects. Implications and strategies for future research are presented. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Behavioral Medicine Springer Journals

Conceptualizations, measurement, and effects of prenatal maternal stress on birth outcomes

Journal of Behavioral Medicine , Volume 17 (3) – Jun 2, 2005

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References (207)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright
Subject
Medicine & Public Health; Medicine/Public Health, general; Health Psychology; General Practice / Family Medicine
ISSN
0160-7715
eISSN
1573-3521
DOI
10.1007/BF01857952
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This article analyzes the conceptual and methodological approaches which have been used to investigate effects of prenatal maternal stress on birth outcomes and highlights the major findings of this research. By viewing the most widely used operational definitions of prenatal stress in a broader theoretical framework, it can be seen that most studies have failed to conceptualize stress reliably. This, in addition to common methodological and design flaws which are described in the article, has produced equivocal findings about the role of stress in adverse birth outcomes such as preterm delivery and low birth weight. Recent studies using more powerful, multidimensional approaches to stress definition and measurement provide more definitive evidence and suggest some precise effects. Implications and strategies for future research are presented.

Journal

Journal of Behavioral MedicineSpringer Journals

Published: Jun 2, 2005

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