The Correlation between Islamic Lifestyle and Pregnancy-Specific Stress: A Cross-Sectional, Correlational Study

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is associated with great psychological, emotional and physical stress. In addition to undergoing hormonal changes, pregnant women experience a change in their attitude toward life and learn to re-assess their skills and lifestyle. Lifestyle, in general, and Islamic lifestyle, in particular, is concerned with the different psychological, social and physical aspects of the individual’s life. AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between Islamic lifestyle and pregnancy-specific stress in pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted on 300 pregnant women presenting to prenatal care clinics. Data were collected using a demographic, the Islamic lifestyle and the pregnancy-related stress questionnaires. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.284) between Islamic lifestyle and pregnancy-specific stress (P < 0.01). The stepwise regression showed that the mean score obtained in the pregnancy-related stress questionnaire decreased by 0.75 per year of marriage and by 0.14 per point in the Islamic lifestyle questionnaire. CONCLUSION: There was a significant negative correlation between Islamic lifestyle and pregnancy-specific stress. Training mothers, raising their awareness and encouraging them to adopt an Islamic lifestyle may play a significant role in controlling pregnancy-specific stress.