Religiosity, spirituality and antenatal anxiety in Southern U.S. women

Abstract

We investigated the association between religiosity, spirituality, and anxiety in pregnant women, taking into account potential confounders. From September 2005 through March 2006, pregnant women in three obstetrics practices in the American South were included in a cross-sectional study. The anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure anxiety. Of the 344 participating women, 23 screened positive for moderate to severe anxiety (HADS [anxiety] score greater than 10). Overall religiosity or spirituality (odds ratio [OR], 0.53; p=0.006) and social support (OR, 0.42; p<0.0001) were significantly associated with significantly lower odds of a positive anxiety screen. Among the specific measures of religiosity or spirituality, self-rated religiosity, self-rated spirituality, and participation in nonorganizational religious activities were significantly associated with lower odds of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. Religiosity and spirituality are associated with reduced anxiety in pregnant women. Additional study is needed to evaluate whether the association is causal.