乐观孕妇易生健康婴儿
http://www.100md.com
2000年11月21日
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Among pregnant women at risk of a problem pregnancy, those who have an optimistic outlook on life may be less likely to deliver a premature or low birth weight infant, new research suggests.
Women considered to have high-risk pregnancies include those with problems in their previous or current pregnancy as well as those with hypertension or other chronic conditions, according to the report in the November issue of Health Psychology.
Dr. Marci Lobel from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and colleagues found that among 129 high-risk patients, ``women who were least optimistic during pregnancy delivered lower birth weight infants.'' These women also experienced more stress than their optimistic peers.
In contrast, the optimistic women--identified by their agreement with statements such as ``I always look on the bright side of things,'' or ``I always expect the best''--exercised more frequently during pregnancy and were more likely to exhibit good nutrition habits, thus decreasing their risk of preterm delivery.
Although optimism in itself does not ensure a healthy birth, ``in conjunction with proper prenatal care and healthful practices during pregnancy, optimism may hold promise as a means of intervention against adverse birth outcomes, especially in high-risk pregnancy,'' Lobel explained.
And even though the study concentrated on pregnant women, the findings may be applicable to a broader population, Lobel and her colleagues suggest.
``This study in pregnant women adds to growing scientific evidence that optimistic people experience better health,'' Lobel told Reuters Health.
However, lest those high-risk individuals with a perpetual ''glass half-empty'' attitude consider themselves ill fated, Lobel counsels that ``studies suggest that optimism can be learned.''
SOURCE: Health Psychology 2000;19:586-595., http://www.100md.com
Women considered to have high-risk pregnancies include those with problems in their previous or current pregnancy as well as those with hypertension or other chronic conditions, according to the report in the November issue of Health Psychology.
Dr. Marci Lobel from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and colleagues found that among 129 high-risk patients, ``women who were least optimistic during pregnancy delivered lower birth weight infants.'' These women also experienced more stress than their optimistic peers.
In contrast, the optimistic women--identified by their agreement with statements such as ``I always look on the bright side of things,'' or ``I always expect the best''--exercised more frequently during pregnancy and were more likely to exhibit good nutrition habits, thus decreasing their risk of preterm delivery.
Although optimism in itself does not ensure a healthy birth, ``in conjunction with proper prenatal care and healthful practices during pregnancy, optimism may hold promise as a means of intervention against adverse birth outcomes, especially in high-risk pregnancy,'' Lobel explained.
And even though the study concentrated on pregnant women, the findings may be applicable to a broader population, Lobel and her colleagues suggest.
``This study in pregnant women adds to growing scientific evidence that optimistic people experience better health,'' Lobel told Reuters Health.
However, lest those high-risk individuals with a perpetual ''glass half-empty'' attitude consider themselves ill fated, Lobel counsels that ``studies suggest that optimism can be learned.''
SOURCE: Health Psychology 2000;19:586-595., http://www.100md.com