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Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Pregnancy psychological distress: A concept analysis
Mi Zhao1, Jing Han1, Suting Zhang1
1School of Nursing, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
Background:
Pregnancy psychological distress is a critical determinant of maternal and infant health outcomes, however, there is a lack of clarity regarding its definition and conceptual meaning.
Aim:
This concept analysis aimed to explore the concept of pregnancy psychological distress and establish an operational definition for application in practice, research and policy.
Methods:
The Walker and Avant's concept analysis was used to explore the concept of pregnancy psychological distress. A systematic literature search was conducted across five English (CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase) and three Chinese (CNKI, WanFang, and VIP) literature databases from their date of inception to 1 October 2024. All selected papers were analysed for definitions of pregnancy psychological distress, as well as for its defining attributes, antecedents and consequences.
Results:
Twenty-five papers were included. The defining attributes of pregnancy psychological distress include subjective emotionality, broad-spectrum affective variability and non-psychiatric aetiology. Antecedents include demographic and medical history factors, as well as social and psychological factors. Consequences include adverse maternal-neonatal outcomes, negative attitudes, avoidance behaviours and relational dysfunction.
Conclusion:
This study provides a conceptual clarification of pregnancy psychological distress by distinguishing it from broader prenatal conditions. This elucidated concept establishes the necessary foundation for informing the development of targeted midwifery-led assessments and care, thereby bridging the gap between theory and clinical practice.
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