Association between depression, anxiety, stress levels, and pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth among undergraduate midwifery students

Aims: This study examined the relationship between depression, anxiety, and stress levels and pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth (FOC) among undergraduate midwifery students.Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted among undergraduate midwifery students enrolled at one state university and one private university in Istanbul during the 2023 academic year.Data were collected online using a personal information form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and the Pre-Pregnancy FOC Scale (PPFCS).Results: A total of 378 undergraduate midwifery students were included in the study.The mean age was 21.18±1.85years, and all of the participants were female (100%).Severe depression, moderate anxiety, and severe stress were identified in 37.8%, 34.9%, and 41.8% of participants, respectively.Depression, anxiety, and stress scores differed significantly by academic year and socioeconomic status (p<0.05), with fourthyear students reporting lower levels of psychological symptoms.Students with lower income levels had significantly higher psychological distress scores and greater prepregnancy FOC (both p<0.05).In multivariable analysis, stress was identified as a significant predictor of FOC (β=0.220,p=0.014), whereas depression and anxiety were not significant predictors.Correlation analysis revealed a weak but statistically significant positive association between total scores on the DASS and the PPFCS (r=0.337;p<0.05).Conclusions: This study demonstrated that depression, anxiety, and stress are prevalent among undergraduate midwifery students and are associated with pre-pregnancy FOC.