Association between walking, dysphoric mood and anxiety in late pregnancy: A cross-sectional study. (30th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petrovic, Danica; Perovic, Milan; Lazovic, Biljana; Pantic, Igor
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 246(2016)
• Page Start: 360
• Page End: 363
• Publication Date: 2016-12-30
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.10.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: Relationship between physical activity and mental disorders in late pregnancy is unclear. In this work, we demonstrate that there is a significant association between the time spent on walking and symptoms of depression and anxiety in antenatal period. The cross-sectional study was done on a sample of 200 healthy women in 9th month of physiological pregnancy at Health center Kraljevo, Serbia during 2015. Each participant was given a questionnaire consisting of general questions regarding physical activity, pregnancy, and other parameters. Also, each participant completed a Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Zung anxiety scale (ZAS). There was a statistically significant negative correlation (p<0.05) between the BDI score and the daily time spent on walking. There was also a strong positive connection between the daily time spent on walking and level of anxiety (p<0.01). To our knowledge this is the first study to jointly test the relationship between scores of Beck depression inventory and Zung anxiety scale, and time spent on walking as physical activity in antenatal period. The results represent the basis for further research in the field of gynecological psychology, psychiatry and behavioral physiology. Highlights: The study was done on a sample of 200 healthy women in 9th month of pregnancy. The participants completed a questionnaire on depression, anxiety and physical activity. Depression levels decreased as the daily walking increased. The level of anxiety increased with the level of depression.