Influencing factors and correlation of anxiety, psychological stress sources, and psychological capital among women pregnant with a second child in Guangdong and Shandong Province

Background: After the one-child policy has been effective for over 30 years, China implemented the universal two-child policy in 2015. The number of high-risk pregnant women had increased dramatically ever since, increasing negative health outcomes for both mothers and children. Our study aims to investigate the status of anxiety, psychological stress sources, and psychological capital among women pregnant with a second child, and to assess influencing factors and correlations, providing scientific basis for promoting women's health during pregnancy. Methods: We recruited 513 participants from maternity hospitals in Guangdong and Shandong Province. All participants completed the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Pregnant women psychological stress sources questionnaire and the psychological capital questionnaire (PCQ-24). Results: The prevalence of anxiety of women pregnant with a second child was 27.5%. The score of psychological stress sources was 74.93 +/- 16.07. The risk factors for the anxiety of the women pregnant with a second child included low education level of the husband, gender expectation and the sources of psychological stress of the pregnant woman. The risk factors for psychological stress were dissatisfaction of residence and unplanned pregnancy. The main factors influencing psychological capital were the participants' education level, whether they have learned antenatal care knowledge and satisfaction with the residence. Limitations: All participants were recruited only from tertiary hospitals in Guangdong and Shandong province. Conclusions: Anxiety and psychological stress is prevalent during pregnancy among women pregnant with a second child in Guangdong and Shandong. Psychological capital was a protective factor for anxiety.