ABSTRACT

Objective: We assessed (1): the factorial and convergent validity of the Portuguese version of the Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM); (2) maternal primary and secondary appraisals of the birth of a child; and (3) the influence of appraisals on stress.

Background: Parental stress is common during transition to parenthood and may be detrimental for parents and infants. Following Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model, the degree of stress is influenced by cognitive appraisals of an event, which are assessed by the SAM.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study. Two hundred and forty-five women with a child of up to 24 months of age filled out several self-report measures, in an online platform.

Results: The SAM factorial structure included three primary (Threat, Centrality, and Challenge) and two secondary (Controllable-by-Self and Controllable-by-Others) appraisals. All subscales had adequate internal consistency. The birth of a child was mainly perceived as a challenge, and seldom appraised as a threat. Threat and centrality appraisals positively predicted stress.

Conclusion: Assessing maternal appraisals of the birth of a child is relevant to foster adaptation to parenthood. The SAM is an adequate assessment tool. As cognitive appraisals are modifiable, women with higher threat appraisals should be targeted for psychological interventions.

摘要

目标：我们评估了 (1)：葡萄牙语版压力评估量表 (SAM) 的因子和收敛效度；（二）产妇对孩子出生的初级和二级评价；(3) 评估对压力的影响。

背景：父母压力在向父母过渡期间很常见，可能对父母和婴儿有害。遵循 Lazarus 和 Folkman 的交易模型，压力程度受事件的认知评估的影响，由 SAM 评估。

方法：这是一项观察性横断面研究。245 名生育 24 个月以下孩子的妇女在一个在线平台上填写了多项自我报告措施。

结果：SAM 因子结构包括三个主要（威胁、中心性和挑战）和两个次要（自我控制和他人控制）评估。所有分量表都具有足够的内部一致性。孩子的出生主要被视为挑战，很少被视为威胁。威胁和中心性评估积极预测压力。

结论：评估母亲对孩子出生的评价与促进对父母身份的适应有关。SAM 是一个适当的评估工具。由于认知评估是可修改的，因此应针对具有较高威胁评估的女性进行心理干预。