Stress, coping, and social support as mediators of the emotional status of women with gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is an example of an unexpected stressful life event experienced by some pregnant women. The roles of stress, coping, and social support in mediating emotional status were studied in 72 nondiabetic pregnant women and 125 women with gestational diabetes. Age, minor life stressors, engagement coping and disengagement coping were significantly associated with the Anxious-Composed subscale of the POMS-BI. Age, social support, minor life stressors and disengagement coping were significantly associated with the Depressed-Elated subscale of the POMS-BI. Gravidity and disengagement coping were significantly related to daily blood glucose variability. Implications for consultants working with pregnant women, particularly women with gestational diabetes, are discussed.