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Mood and cognition in pregnant workers
1University of Wolverhampton, School of Health Sciences, Psychology Division, UK.
Applied Ergonomics
|August 14, 1998
Summary
Pregnancy does not impair cognitive function in working women. However, mood changes during pregnancy are linked to perceived cognitive ability, not actual cognitive failures.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
- Human Cognition
Background:
- Pregnancy can impact a woman's physical and mental state.
- Working pregnant women may experience changes in cognitive function and mood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive failures and mood in pregnant working women.
- To compare cognitive function and mood between pregnant and non-pregnant working women.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-eight pregnant working women completed the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist.
- Matched non-pregnant working women served as controls.
- Demographic data including number of children, employment, and education were collected.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in cognitive failures were found between pregnant and non-pregnant workers.
- Cognitive Failures Questionnaire scores predicted mood more strongly in pregnant women.
- Pregnant workers reported lower Energetic Arousal compared to non-pregnant workers.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy does not compromise cognitive efficiency in working women.
- Mood fluctuations in pregnancy may relate to perceived cognitive competence.
- Workload adjustments may be beneficial to address reduced arousal in pregnant workers.