The Relationship Between Pregnant Women' Emotional Intelligence and Fear of Childbirth, Readiness For Childbirth and Ways of Coping with Stress

Abstract

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the relationship between pregnant women's emotional intelligence (EI) , Fear of Labor (FOC), Readiness for Labor (RFC), and ways of overcoming the stress. Material and Method: The research is descriptive-correlational. The study was carried out with 665 pregnant women who were in the third trimester and admitted to the obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Nothern Turkey. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Emotional Intelligence Assessment Scale (EIAS), Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) and Ways of Coping Checklist (WCCL). Percentage, mean ± standard deviation and median, Kolmogorov Smirnov test, Pearson Correlation and Multiple Regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: In the study, the pregnant women's emotional intelligence (EI) score average was 126.30±28, the RFC average was 29.25±4.77 and the FOC average was 27.46±4.58. Self-Confident Approach, Optimistic Approach and Finding Social Support dimensions of the Stress Coping Styles Scale in Pregnant Women were found to be above the average score, and the Desperate Approach and Submissive Approach dimensions scores were below the average score. It was determined that there was a weakly significant positive correlation between the total EI scores of the pregnant women and the mean scores of RFC, FOC and coping with stress (p <0.001, r = 0.283), (p <0.001, r = 0.355), (p < 0.001, r = 0.317). Conclusion: It was determined that there was a weakly significant positive correlation between the total EI scores of the pregnant women and the mean scores of RFC, FOC and overcoming the stress styles. In this respect, it was concluded that the emotional intelligence levels of pregnant women need to be improved, their RFC and their FOC are low, and that they display a partially effective attitude in their coping style with stress.

Keywords

• Fear of labor,
• readiness for labor,
• emotional intelligence,
• midwife,
• overcoming stress

References

1. 1. Mayer JD, Salovey P, Caruso DR. Emotional intelligence as zeitgeist, as personality, and as a mental ability. In R. Bar-On & J. D. A. Parker (Eds.), The handbook of emotional intelligence: Theory, development, assessment, and application at home, school, and in the workplace, Jossey-Bass, 2000, pp. 92–117
2. 2. Airo R, Korja R, Saisto T, Rouhe H, Muotka J, Salmela–Aro K. Changes in emotions and personal goals in primiparous pregnant women during group intervention for fear of childbirth. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology 2018, 36(4), 363-80.
3. 3. Hildingsson I. Haines H, Karlström A, Nystedt A. Presence and process of fear of birth during pregnancy—Findings from a longitudinal cohort study. Women and Birth 2017; 30(5):e242–e247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.02.003
4. 4. Çapık A, Sakar T, Apay SE. Relationship between health practices and emotional intelligence in pregnancy. International Refereed Journal of Nursing Research 2016;6:76-88.
5. 5. Lee RT, Ashforth BEA. Further examination of managerial burnout: Toward an İntegrated Model. Journal of Organizational Behavior 1993);14(1):3-20.
6. 6. Buko G, Özkan H. The correlation between emotional intelligence and prenatal attachment levels of pregnant women. Journal of Anatolia Nursing and Health Sciences 2016;19(4):217-24
7. 7. Serçekuş P, Okumuş H. Fears associated with childbirth among nulliparous women in Turkey. Midwifery 2009;25(2):155-62.
8. 8. Sönmez CI, Sivaslıoğlu AA. Preference of delivery type of pregnant women and the factors effecting them. Konuralp Medical J 2019;11(3):369-76. DOI: 10.18521/ktd.629706.

9. 9. Yaşar Ö, Kır Şahin F, Coşar E, Nadirgil Köken G, Cevrioğlu AS. Birth preferences of primipara women and factors affecting this. J Clin Obstet Gynecol 2007;17(6):414-20.
10. 10. Diego MA, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, Gonzalez-Quintero VH. Prenatal depression restricts fetal growth. Early Hum Dev 2009;85(1):65-70.
11. 11. Shishehgar S, Dolatian M, Majd HA, Bakhtiary M. Perceived pregnancy stress and quality of life amongst Iranian women. Glob J Health Sci 2014;6(4):270-7.
12. 12. Pearlstein T. Depression during pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2015;29(5):754-64.
13. 13. Aktaş S, Pasinlioğlu T. The effect of empathic communication skills of midwives on labor and post labor period. Anatolian Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences 2016; 19:38-45.
14. 14. Gaskin IM. Ina May's birth preparation guide. Erkök ÖE, Güler ZB (Çev). 1. st edition. İstanbul: Sinek Sekiz Publishing 2015: p.305-78.
15. 15. Erigüç G, Eriş H, Kabalcıoğlu F. Emotional intelligence and communication skills of nursing students: Example of Harran University School of Health. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences 2014; 6(2):1-7.
16. 16. Karaçam Z, Akyüz EÖ. Supportive care given in labor and the role of the midwife / nurse. Florence Nightingale Nursing Journal 2011; 19 (1): 45-53.
17. 17. Tiran D.The Context Of Childbirth: Psychological Context. Ed: Henderson C, Macdonald S.Mayes' Midwifery A textbook for Mdiwives. 13 th Edition.London: Elsevier.2008:Pp 14-27.
18. 18. Mongan MF. HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method: A natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing (3rd Edition). Health Communications, Inc. FL. 2005, pp, 57-63.
19. 19. Miltner RS. Identifying labor support actions of intrapartum nurses. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2000;29(5):491-9.
20. 20. Sleutel MR. Intrapartum nursing: Integrating Rubin's Framework with Social Support Theory. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2003;32(1):76-82.
21. 21. Patterson D, Begley A.M. An exploration of the importance of emotional intelligence in midwifery, Evidence Based Midwifery 2011;9(3): 128134.
22. 22. Dönmez S, Yeniel Ö, Kavlak O. Comparison of state anxiety levels of pregnant women having vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Gümüşhane University Journal of Health Sciences 2014; 3(3):908-920.
23. 23. Uçar T, Gölbaşı Z. Fear of childbirth, ıts causes and consequences. İnönü University Journal of Health Sciences 2015; 4 (2):54-58. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306572188
24. 24. Yılar Erkek Z, Aktas S. The effect of foot reflexology on the anxiety levels of women in labor. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2018; 24(4): 352–360. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0263
25. 25. Dursun P, Yanık FB, Zeyneloglu HB, Baser E, Kuscu E, Ayhan A. Why women request cesarean section without medical ındication? The Journal of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine 2011; 24(9): 1133-37.
26. 26. Demirsoy G, Aksu H. Reasons of fear and copıng assocıated with childbirth. KASHED 2015; 2 (2): 36-45.
27. 27. Özcan Ş, Arslan E. Determination of maternal satisfaction at normal and cesarean birth. Florence Nightingale Nursing Journal 2015; 23(1): 41-48.DOI: 10.17672/fnhd.8895
28. 28. Bülbül T, Özen B, Çopur A, Kayacık F. Investigation the fear of labor and decision making about delivery type in pregnant. Journal of Health Sciences) 2016 ; 25 (3):126-130.
29. 29. Demirbaş H, Kadıoğlu H. Adaptation to pregnancy in prenatal period women and factors associated with adaptation. Journal of Marmara University Institute of Health Sciences 2014;4(4):200-6.
30. 30. Ergin EF. A research on the relationship between emotional intelligence levels of university students and their 16 personality traits. Social Sciences Institute, Department of Child Development and Home Management Education. Master Thesis, Konya: Selçuk University, 2000.
31. 31. Karahan TF, Özçelik M. The effect of an emotional intelligence skill training program on the emotional intelligence levels of Diabetes patients. Uludağ University Journal of Education Faculty 2006;19(2):301-20.
32. 32. Sardoğan ME, Kaygusuz C. Investigation of the individuals who were diagnosed as antisocial personality disorder and not diagnosed in terms of emotional intelligence levels. Ege Journal of Education 2006;7(1):85-102.
33. 33. Ünsar S, Fındık ÜY, Sadırlı SK, Erol Ö. Emotional intelligence level of Edirne Health School Students, University of Social Sciences. Education and Thought Journal 2009;9(1):1-13.
34. 34. Fırat Kılıç H, Çağlayan S, Sucu Dağ G. Emotional intelligence levels of nursing students and affecting factors. Journal of Education and Research in Nursing 2017;14(4):275-82.
35. 35. Goleman D. Duygusal zekâ: neden akademik zekâ (IQ)’dan daha önemlidir? (çev. B. S. Yüksel) İstanbul: Varlık Yayınları, 1998, pp.34-68.
36. 36. Beydağ KT, Mete S. Validity and reliability study of the prenatal self-evaluation questionnaire. Journal of Anatolia Nursing and Health Sciences 2008;11(1):16-24.
37. 37. Şahin NH, Durak A. Stress Coping Styles Scale: Adaptation for university students. Turk Psikol Derg 1995;10 (34):56-73.
38. 38. Karahan TF, Koç HE. A study of stress coping styles of university students according to the frequency of alcohol and cigarette use. Ege Journal of Education 2005;6(2):113-31.
39. 39. Golmakani N, Ahmadi M, Asgharipour N, Esmaeli H. The relationship of emotional intelligence with Women's Postabortion Grief and Bereavement. JMRH 2018;6(1):1163-9
40. 40. Mete S, Çiçek Ö, Aluş Tokat M, Çamlıbel M, Uludağ E. The effect of childbirth preparation classes on fear of childbirth, birth preference and preparation of labor. Turkiye Klinikleri J Nurs Sci. 2017;9(3):201-6.
41. 41. Yılmaz SD, Beji NK. Levels of coping with stress, depression and prenatal attachment and affecting factors of pregnant women. General Medical Journal 2010;20(3):99-108.
42. 42. Coşkun, E. Investigation of the effect of emotional intelligence and intolerance of uncertainty to the ways of coping with stress. Master's thesis, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University, Graduate Education Institute.2019:56
43. 43. Çankaya M, Çiftçi EG. The impact of emotional intelligence on nurses' coping styles with stress: An application in Çorum. Anadolu University Journal of Social Sciences 2019;19(2):391-414. DOI: 10.18037/ausbd.566879.
44. 44. Sarabia-Cobo CM, Suárez SG, Crispín EJM, Sarabia Cobo AB, Pérez V, De Lorena P, Rodriguez C, Sanlúcar LG. Emotional intelligence and coping styles: An intervention in Geriatric Nurses. Appl Nurs Res 2017;35:94-8.
45. 45. Ogińska-Bulik N. Emotional intelligence in the workplace: exploring its effects on occupational stress and health outcomes in human service workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2005;18(2):167-75.
46. 46. Pau AKH, Croucher R, Sohanpal R, Muirhead V, Seymour K. Emotional intelligence and stress coping in dental undergraduates—a qualitative study. Br Dent J 2004;197(4):205-9.
47. 47. Wang Y, Xie G, Cui X. Effects of emotional intelligence and self-leadership on students' coping with stress. Soc Behav Pers 2016;44(5):853-64.
48. 48. Noorbakhsh SN, Besharat MA Zarei, J. Emotional intelligence and coping styles with stress. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences 2010;5: 818-22.
49. 49. Lea RG, Davis SK, Mahoney B, Qualter P. Does emotional intelligence buffer the effects of acute stress? A systematic review. Front Psychol 2019;10(8):10-9. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00810
50. 50. Abdollahpour I, Nedjat S, Besharat MA, Hosseini B, Salimi Y. Emotional intelligence: A comparison between medical and non-medical students. Iran J Public Health 2016;45(2):214-22.
51. 51. Goodman P, Mackey MC, Tavakoli, AS. Factors related to childbirth satisfaction. J Adv Nurs 2004;46(2):212-9.
52. 52. Erdemoğlu Ç, Özşahin Z, Altıparmak S. The effect of personality traits of pregnant and their ways of coping with stress on the fear of childbirth. Jour Turk Fam Phy 2019;10(3):130-9. DOI: 10.15511/tjtfp.19.00330.
53. 53. Tighe SM. An exploration of the attitudes of attenders and nonattenders towards antenatal education. Midwifery 2010;26(3): 294-303.
54. 54. Bolsoy N, Çelik N, Şimşek HN. Does psycho-education improve obstetric and maternal outcomes in women with fear of birth? Systematic Review. Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Nursing Electronic Journal 2019; 12 (1): 82-90.
55. 55. Izudi J, Akwang DG, McCoy SI, Bajunirwe F, Kadengye DT. Effect of health education on birth preparedness and complication readiness on the use of maternal health services: A propensity score-matched analysis. Midwifery 2019; 78: 78-84.