Title : Psychological well-being and prenatal stress levels among high-risk pregnant patients in a tertiary hospital in Mandaue City, Cebu: A prospective descriptive-correlational study
Abstract:
High-risk pregnancy is often associated with increased emotional and psychological challenges because of the added concerns regarding maternal and fetal health. Despite the growing recognition of maternal mental health as an important component of prenatal care, limited local studies have explored the relationship between prenatal stress and psycho-emotional well-being among high-risk pregnant women in the Philippine setting. This study aimed to assess antenatal stress levels and psychoemotional well-being among high-risk pregnant patients in a tertiary hospital and determine the relationship between these variables.
A prospective descriptive-correlational design was utilized involving 120 high-risk pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the University of Cebu Medical Center from October 2025 to March 2026. Participants underwent initial screening using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), followed by administration of the Antenatal Perceived Stress Inventory (APSI) and Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). Sociodemographic, obstetric, and medical data were also collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
The study found that most respondents had low to manageable antenatal stress levels, although 20.00% were classified under the High Stress category. Higher stress levels were more commonly observed among younger women, nulliparous patients, those with higher body mass index, lower income, and single civil status. Certain medical conditions, including gestational diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders, and advanced maternal age, were also associated with increased stress levels. Furthermore, linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship between antenatal perceived stress and psycho-emotional distress (β = 0.4421, p < 0.001), indicating that increased prenatal stress was associated with poorer psycho-emotional well-being.
The findings suggest that antenatal stress plays a significant role in the psychoemotional health of high-risk pregnant women. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating mental health screening, stress assessment, and psychosocial support into routine prenatal care, particularly among women with high-risk pregnancies. Early identification of vulnerable patients may help improve maternal emotional well-being and overall pregnancy outcomes.
