Background: Pregnancy loss is typically experienced as a traumatic, critical event, which may lead to secondary psychological health disorders. Its burden involves both the experience of loss and related medical issues, which are associated with pain, hospitalization, limitation in one’s social roles, decreased sense of security, and changes in one’s perceived quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate levels of quality of life (QoL), social support and self-efficacy among women who had suffered a miscarriage. Methods: The study was performed using a diagnostic survey method with questionnaires administered to 610 patients hospitalized due to spontaneous pregnancy loss in hospitals in Lublin (Poland). The instruments used were: the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the WHOQoL–BREF questionnaire, and a standardized interview questionnaire. Results: Respondents rated their overall quality of life (3.90 points) higher than their overall perceived health (3.66). In terms of social support, the highest scores were noted for perceived available instrumental support (M = 3.78), perceived available emotional support (M = 3.68) and actually received support (M = 3.60). The mean generalized self-efficacy score among the women after pregnancy loss was 30.29. Respondents’ QoL was significantly correlated with multiple social support subscales and self-efficacy (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Women after a miscarriage perceive their overall quality of life as better than their overall health, while reporting the poorest QoL in the psychological domain. They also have a high level of self-efficacy. Regarding the types of social support, perceived available support, both instrumental and emotional, and actually received support was rated highly. Social support and self-efficacy contributed to better perceived QoL among the respondents.

Background: The task of modern medicine is not just to heal, but also to improve the patient’s well-being and achieve non-medical goals in the therapy process that enable effective physical, mental and social functioning of the patient. Social support in difficult situations mobilizes an individual’s strength and resources to cope with problems. Research on social support and women’s condition after pregnancy loss reflects a holistic approach to the patient and is important from the perspective of increasing the level of hospital care. Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the impact of social support on the psychophysical condition, health, and satisfaction with quality of life among women after miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 500 patients after miscarriage and 110 with ectopic pregnancy, hospitalized in hospitals in Lublin (Poland). The study was conducted with the use of a diagnostic survey, comprising the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS) and an original survey questionnaire (psychophysical condition, satisfaction with health and quality of life on a scale of 1–4, sources of support on a scale of 1–10, with 1 being the poorest rating). Results: Respondents after miscarriage and those after ectopic pregnancy assigned the highest scores to the degree of perceived available instrumental support (respectively, miscarriage: M = 3.79, EP: M = 3.77). Women after pregnancy loss assigned the highest score to the support obtained from their partner (respectively, miscarriage: M = 9.26, EP: M = 9.23). Social support was significantly correlated with the condition of patients hospitalized as a result of pregnancy loss (p < 0.05). The assessment of psychophysical condition, health, and QoL of the respondents is determined by their education, financial standing, and obstetric history (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Women hospitalized due to miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy assigned high scores to the level of perceived available instrumental, emotional, and actually received social support. There is a positive relationship between social support and subjective opinion about psychophysical condition, health and satisfaction with quality of life among women after pregnancy loss. The assessment is determined by sociodemographic factors and the respondents’ obstetric history.

Nursing belongs to the group of professions particularly exposed to stress. Since the ability to cope with stress is an important aspect of mental health, the aim of this study was to identify the types of nurses’ behaviours in terms of different coping styles used when dealing with work-related and psychosocial stress. The study was conducted among 1223 Polish nurses by means of a diagnostic survey, using the Coping in Stressful Situations Questionnaire (CISS), the Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and a questionnaire of the author’s own design. Three types of nurses were distinguished: Type 1 (non-harmonious/organised)—nurses with lower professional education, longer work experience, at least average severity of stress related to working conditions, the lowest GSES scores, and worse psychophysical condition, who focused on their own emotional state when faced with stressful situations. Type 2 (harmonious)—nurses with higher education, the lowest intensity of work-related stresses, the highest GSES scores, positive self-reported psycho-physical condition, most often using the task-oriented coping style in stressful situations. Type 3 (non-harmonious/disorganised)—nurses with shorter length of service in the profession, the highest intensity of work-related stress, average GSES scores, and poorer self-reported psycho-physical condition. The presented results may provide a basis for preventive measures to minimise stress and increase competence in coping strategies, thus contributing to improved psychological and physical well-being of nurses.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way prenatal education and obstetric care are provided. Pandemic-related anxiety, restrictions, limitations in perinatal care, and the inability to be accompanied by a loved one can have negative psychological consequences for future parents and their child. The aim of this study was to analyze the determinants and assess the anxiety of pregnant women in individual trimesters, as well as to learn about the sources of support and medical personnel proceeding methods. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted as a diagnostic survey, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Childbirth Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), and a standardized interview questionnaire, on 534 pregnant women in Poland. Resultsand Conclusions: The pregnant women, regardless of the trimester of pregnancy, are characterized by: increased anxiety level influenced by the current epidemiological situation, psychophysical condition, previous maternal experiences, participation in classes preparing for childbirth, organization of perinatal care, their relationship with a partner, and the presence of a loved one during childbirth. A negative correlation was shown between the level of childbirth anxiety and maternal experience, as well as the support of a doctor and midwife.

Background: The shifting reproductive age of women is reflected in European populations. Pregnancy in women older than 35 years is considered high-risk and can be an additional source of stress. The aim of this study was to assess the perceived stress of women experiencing late motherhood and the coping strategies used. Methods: The study was conducted in Poland by means of a diagnostic survey, using the COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), and a self-administered questionnaire. The study included 310 women who gave birth to their first child after the age of 35 and 313 respondents in a control group who gave birth before this age. Results: Based on the results, there were no statistically significant differences in feelings of stress among women who gave birth to their first child after the age of 35 (M = 18.33) compared to the control group (M = 18.14). However, statistically significant differences were observed regarding stress coping strategies. Conclusions: Women giving birth after the age of 35 were more likely to use strategies including active coping, planning, positive reformulation, acceptance, turning to religion, and seeking instrumental support.

Pregnancy loss is a difficult situation that can affect a woman’s physical and psychological health, and thus requires appropriate management and support. An individual’s sense of self-efficacy is an important factor in the process of coping with a problem. Therefore, an analysis of self-efficacy in women after spontaneous pregnancy loss is warranted, so as to establish its association with social support, socio-demographic variables, quality of care, and specific behaviors of the medical staff. The cross-sectional study was performed in a group of 610 patients hospitalized due to spontaneous pregnancy loss in hospitals in Lublin (Poland). The study used a diagnostic survey with questionnaires: Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), and a standardized interview questionnaire. Post-pregnancy loss patients rated partner support highest (M = 9.25), while the best-rated category of social support was perceived available instrumental support (M = 3.78). In relation to medical personnel, the quality of care provided by midwives was rated the highest (M = 4.57). The study demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) association between the selected socio-demographic factors and the specific types and sources of support on the one hand, and generalized self-efficacy on the other, in the patients after pregnancy loss who were studied. Socio-demographic factors that affected self-efficacy in the respondents included their relationship status and socio-economic standing. Self-efficacy is positively correlated with social support in women after pregnancy loss.