The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence
and factors influencing antenatal depression, anxiety and stress
symptomatology. The study used a cross-sectional survey design
in a sample of 302 antenatal women across the trimesters
of pregnancy. The questionnaire collected demographic and
pregnancy data, included two measures of emotional distress;
the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) and Depression Anxiety
Stress Scale (DASS-21), a measure of social support; the
Significant Others Scale (SOS), and an adapted measure of
distress from life events; the List of Threatening Experiences
(LTE). Seventeen per cent were identified as suffering from
depression symptomatology, 25% as having symptoms of anxiety
and 25% as having symptoms of stress.