Title : Predictors of anxiety among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners: The mediating role of marital satisfaction
Abstract:
Aims: This study aims to examine the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and identify its predictors among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners and explore the mediating role of marital satisfaction between maternal and paternal anxiety.
Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2021 to May 2022, in Guangzhou, China.
Methods: 306 pairs of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test, and the socio-demographic and clinical data sheet.
Results: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 32.4% and 36.6% in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners, respectively. The predictors of maternal anxiety were paternal anxiety, maternal marital satisfaction, maternal monthly salary, fasting glucose value, and 1-h glucose value, while the predictors of paternal anxiety were maternal anxiety, paternal marital satisfaction, and paternal monthly salary. Moreover, the relationship between maternal and paternal anxiety was mediated by marital satisfaction.
Conclusions: The anxiety of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners influence each other, and this relationship was mediated by marital satisfaction. Every couple should be screened for anxiety symptoms and treated as a team rather than focusing solely on the pregnant woman.
Keywords; anxiety, gestational diabetes mellitus, marital satisfaction, pregnant women, partners
