Methods. The sample consisted of female participants who voluntarily responded to the survey. The selection

criteria included were female gender, pregnancy, full age and Lithuanian mother tongue. A quantitative research

strategy was chosen. The survey included socio-demographic questions, the Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI)

Results. The planning-preparation coping strategy was the most frequently used coping strategy (p < 0.001),

compared with the avoidance and spiritual-positive coping strategies (planning-preparation subscale, 2.05 ± 0.58

points; spiritual-positive coping, 1.27 ± 0.79 points; and avoidance subscale, 1.32 ± 0.55 points). Overall, 42.6%

Conclusions. 1. Statistically significant differences in the Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI) between trimester,

Pregnancy is a time of numerous anatomical and

physiological changes. Expectant women must not

only nurture and accommodate the foetus but also

adapt to new bodily changes [1]. Pregnant women

experience both physical and psychological, as well

as social changes in their lives, and these changes

status (unemployment had a greater impact on

higher distress levels) [3]. It is emphasized that

increased maternal distress symptoms during

pregnancy may be related to coping strategies

employed, partner and family support, as well as

Therefore, expectant mothers face various

challenges that may be associated with heightened

anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms. Hence, it

is crucial to understand how expectant women cope

depression due to hormonal changes, bodily

changes, and emotional difficulties associated with

pregnancy [7, 8]. Additionally, the well-being of

expectant mothers is important to society, as healthy

and happy mothers are essential factors in ensuring

the health and happiness of future generations [9].

Therefore, it can be argued that understanding

distress experienced by expectant mothers and their

coping methods can be valuable while improving the

psychological well-being of mothers giving birth

Instagram to several profiles related to parenthood

and pregnancy. On April 19 and 20, a few additional

permissions were obtained to share the research

survey, but since the required sample size had

already been reached, the data collection was

discontinued considering the scope of the study and

the participants' resources. The online survey

ensuring anonymity. The collected research data is

stored on the researcher's computer in a password-

protected folder. In total, 129 women's responses

The research sample consisted of 129 pregnant

women. The following selection criteria were

applied when collecting the research data: adult

pregnant women; native speakers of the Lithuanian

asked to provide their age, pregnancy trimester,

whether it was their first pregnancy, whether they

had previous children, place of residence (choosing

from 3 options: city centre, urban area, small town

or village), and educational level. All questions had

The Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI) is a scale

designed to assess how often pregnant women have

used various coping strategies in the past month to

manage the stress and challenges associated with

pregnancy. The authors of this scale are Hamilton

and Lobel (2008). Similarly to the previous scale,

the instrument has not been translated into the

The study employed convenience sampling, and

voluntarily participating respondents were included

in the research. Evaluation standards for the

participants were as follows: adult pregnant women

whose native language is Lithuanian. The

Upon completion of data collection, data analysis

was initiated. Participants' responses were processed

and transferred to Microsoft Excel 2023 for data

were calculated for normally distributed variables,

and tables were generated. For interval variables,

Statistical methods were selected after examining

the distribution of data according to the normal

distribution. Given the relatively large sample size

(129 participants), normality was assessed based on

skewness and kurtosis coefficients as well as

histogram examinations. The distribution of interval

variables was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test,

frequently participants utilized various coping

strategies in the past month to manage the stress

associated with pregnancy and cope with emerging

In the overall group of expectant women, there was

1.32 ± 0.55). The indicators are presented in the

The second objective of the study was to determine

the level of distress experienced by women during

pregnancy. To assess the level of distress, the study

Table 4. Level of distress related to partner involvement manifested by socio-demographic indicators. Student's

Strengths of the study: this study is the first in

Lithuania to analyse the relationship between coping

strategies and distress in pregnant women. It is also

the first study to address a topic that is relevant in

today's society and has not been explored much. It

should be mentioned that 129 pregnant women

Limitations of the study: Although the study has a

high relevance, there are limitations. One of the

thesis would be the lack of socio-demographic

questions, as the participants were not asked about

their marital status and financial situation, which are

presumably also important extraneous factors that

may be associated with psychological well-being

and distress levels. As participation in the survey

was voluntary, the sample is not representative, as

Coping Inventory (NuPCI) were observed between

trimester, singleton and repeat pregnancies, and

having or not having had a child previously. Among

pregnant women), the most frequently used coping

strategy was planning-preparation compared with

2. Analysis of the results of the Tilburg Pregnancy

Distress Scale shows that the pregnant women in the

study showed an increase in distress levels. Almost

half of the participants had elevated levels of