THE EFFECT OF PREGNANT WOMEN'S DEPRESSION, STRESS, AND ANXIETY LEVELS ON THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS SEXUALITY DURING PREGNANCY

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of depression, anxiety, and stress levels of pregnant women on their attitudes towards sexuality during pregnancy.Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted with 312 pregnant women. An Introductory Information Form, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), and the Attitude towards Sexuality During Pregnancy Scale (ATSDPS) were used for collecting the data.Results: It was determined that 52.9% of them had a “negative attitude” towards sexuality. 19.9% of the pregnant women had moderate, 10.3% severe, and 5.1% very severe depression symptoms; 17.9% had moderate, 16.7% had severe, and 20.8% had very severe anxiety symptoms; and 18.3% had moderate, 6.7% severe, and 3.8% had very severe stress symptoms. As the depression level of pregnant women increased, their negative attitudes towards sexuality increased (OR= 1.059, 95% CI= 1.029-1.090).Conclusion: About half of the ten pregnant women had unfavorable attitudes regarding sexuality, and risk factors for sexuality during pregnancy included the pregnant women's higher depression levels and low educational status.