Factors associated with state and trait anxiety in women hospitalised for threatened preterm labour: a biopsychosocial 4Ps-informed analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalisation for threatened preterm labour (TPL) may be accompanied by anxiety. This secondary analysis examined correlates of state and trait anxiety using a biopsychosocial 4Ps-informed organisational framework (predisposing, precipitating/clinical-context, candidate perpetuating and putative protective domains). METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 213 women hospitalised for TPL at 22-37 weeks' gestation in Poland. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Berlin Social Support Scales and Courtauld Emotional Control Scale. Hierarchical linear regressions entered sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics, gestational age and non-overlapping psychosocial measures in three blocks. RESULTS: High state- and trait-anxiety scores were observed in 39.0% and 8.0% of participants, respectively. The state-anxiety model had R2 = 0.401 and adjusted R2 = 0.358; the psychosocial block contributed ΔR2 = 0.158 (p < 0.001). Professional activity and a less favourable subjective financial situation were associated with higher state anxiety, emotional support with lower state anxiety, and protective buffering support with higher state anxiety. The trait-anxiety model had R2 = 0.614 and adjusted R2 = 0.587; the psychosocial block contributed ΔR2 = 0.297 (p < 0.001). Higher education, gravidity and instrumental support were associated with lower trait anxiety; professional activity, a less favourable subjective financial situation, unplanned pregnancy, protective buffering support and emotional suppression were associated with higher trait anxiety. Gestational age was not significant in either final model. CONCLUSIONS: Structural and psychosocial variables were associated with anxiety during TPL hospitalisation. Associations with support dimensions differed in direction. The cross-sectional findings do not establish protective effects, causal pathways or statistically distinct correlates of state and trait anxiety.