The Contribution of Dispositional Gratitude and Different Stress Sources to Personal Growth Among Women Pregnant with

Meital Navon-Eyal1, Orit Taubman-Ben-Ari1

  • 1The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.

While pregnancy and anticipation of the birth of the first child may be a stressful experience for women, it may also provide an opportunity for personal growth. The literature shows that stress is a prerequisite for growth. However, studies rarely distinguish between different sources of stress. This study therefore sought to increase the theoretical understanding of personal growth by examining the contribution of different stress sources (exposure to pregnancy-related stressors, experiencing pregnancy stress, stress associated with life events during pregnancy, COVID-19-related anxiety over possible economic damage, and COVID-19-related anxiety over the health of the fetus). In addition, drawing on the Broaden and Build Theory, the contribution of dispositional gratitude to personal growth was examined. The sample consisted of 1378 women expecting their first child, who were recruited through social media. Results show that dispositional gratitude has a significant contribution to personal growth (p < 0.001) and that all stress sources except for pregnancy stress, contributed significantly to personal growth (p < 0.05). The study expands the theoretical knowledge and lends support to the need for a theoretical and methodological distinction between different sources of stress.

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
508
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I

Stress prevention and management are crucial for maintaining well-being and building resilience. Techniques to manage stress include cultivating qualities like conscientiousness, a sense of personal control, and self-efficacy. Each of these traits significantly reduces stress and promotes healthier lifestyle choices and outcomes.
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
272
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
472
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II01:23

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II

Personality types, particularly Type A and Type B, significantly influence how individuals respond to stress. These personality distinctions are marked by varying levels of ambition, competitiveness, and coping styles, all of which shape an individual's resilience to stressors.
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as...
487
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI01:30

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI

Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
235
Components of Stress01:23

Components of Stress

Stress analysis under multiple loading conditions is intricate, necessitating a comprehensive grasp of normal and shearing stresses. Consider a small cube at point O, subjected to stress on all six faces, visible or not. Normal stress components σx, σy, σz act perpendicularly to the x, y, and z axes. Shearing stress components τxy and τxz are exerted on faces perpendicular to these axes.
Interestingly, the hidden cube faces also experience these stresses, equal and...
488