ABSTRACT
This chapter presents and discusses self-report scales used for the assessment of women experiencing pregnancy-related anxiety. The chapter begins by outlining the importance of accurate screening procedures for the identification of women experiencing this specific type of anxiety. Estimates of the prevalence of antenatal anxiety, pregnancy-related anxiety, and fear of childbirth are provided. The chapter continues with a discussion of current issues in the measurement of pregnancy-related anxiety and the role of psychometric properties in the evaluation of the screening accuracy and overall quality of assessment measures. Subsequently, a description of the content and psychometric properties of scales to measure pregnancy-related anxiety is presented. Scales were selected based on their use in research studies or for their potential as screening tools in research and clinical settings for this specific type of anxiety. Scales reviewed include the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Questionnaire – Revised, the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale, the Cambridge Worry Scale, the Stirling Antenatal Anxiety Scale, the Pregnancy-related Thoughts and the Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety Scale. The chapter concludes with key recommendations for future research and clinical practice, and the important role of screening scales in the timely identification and support of women experiencing pregnancy-related anxiety.
