Publication: Stress, coping mechanism and sociodemographic determinants among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus in Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia
Loading...
Date
2026-08
Authors
Azman, Nur Alis Nadia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and may contribute to increased psychological stress among affected women. This study aimed to determine the level of stress, identify the coping mechanisms used, and examine the association between stress levels, coping mechanisms, and selected sociodemographic characteristics among pregnant women with GDM attending Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia (HPUSM). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 154 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM who attended the antenatal clinic at HPUSM. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics, the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), and the Brief COPE Inventory. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. Descriptive statistics were used to describe respondents’ characteristics, stress levels, and coping mechanisms, while Chi-square tests was performed to determine the associations between the study variables. The findings revealed that most respondents experienced a moderate level of stress (68.8%), followed by a low level of stress (26.0%) and a high level of stress (5.2%). Problem-focused coping was identified as the most frequently used coping mechanism among pregnant women with GDM. The study also found an association between the number of children and stress level, whereas employment status was the only sociodemographic characteristic significantly associated with coping mechanisms. In addition, a significant relationship was observed between stress level and coping mechanisms among pregnant women with GDM. In conclusion, most pregnant women with GDM experienced a moderate level of stress and utilized various coping strategies to manage the challenges associated with their condition. These findings highlight the importance of routine stress assessment and the provision of appropriate psychosocial support during antenatal care to enhance maternal well-being and promote effective coping among pregnant women with GDM.
Description
Keywords
-