Impact of Uncertainty on the Anxiety of Hospitalized Pregnant Women Diagnosed with Preterm Labor: Focusing on Mediating Effect of Uncertainty Appraisal and Coping Style

PURPOSE: This study aimed to test the mediating effect of uncertainty appraisal and coping style in the relation between uncertainty and anxiety in hospitalized pregnant women diagnosed with preterm labor. METHODS: The participants were 105 pregnant women diagnosed with preterm labor in hospitals in Korea. Data were collected from July to October 2017. The measurements included the Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Uncertainty Appraisal Scale, Coping Style Scale, and State Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, correlation, and multiple regression following the Baron and Kenny method and Sobel test for mediation. CONCLUSION: Nursing intervention programs focusing on managing uncertainty appraisal and improving emotion-focused coping are highly recommended to decrease anxiety in hospitalized pregnant women diagnosed with preterm labor.