Objective: To investigate the psychological status of women during their second pregnancy.
Methods: A total of 162 women who were pregnant for the second time were selected as the research subjects. The general demographic data and pregnancy-related conditions of the subjects were investigated by a questionnaire developed for this study. The anxiety and depression of the subjects were evaluated with a self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and a self-rating depression scale (SDS).
Results: The subjects scored themselves on the SAS and on the SDS. There was a statistically significant difference when comparing the scores and total scores with the domestic norm. Statistical data analysis was conducted using SPSS 19.0 software. The results of a multi-factor logistics regression analysis showed that four factors, namely a low age, low education level, low monthly household income and foetal sex expectations, were the main influencing factors for the occurrence of anxiety among women during their second pregnancies (p < 0.05). Three factors, namely a low education level, low monthly household income and a poor relationship between the husband and wife, were the main influencing factors for the occurrence of depression among the subjects (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: During their second pregnancies, women have different degrees of anxiety and depression. Measures should be taken to intervene and guide women who develop these adverse emotions.
Keywords: second child, psychological condition, anxiety, depression, influencing factors