Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the anxiety control questionnaire-revised in pregnant women

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are very frequent during pregnancy. Anxiety control is a generalized psychological vulnerability for its development. The aim of this study is to explore the psychometric properties of the Anxiety Control Questionnaire Revised (ACQ-R) in Spanish pregnant women. 275 women responded to measures of anxiety, depression, affect, and quality of life. The original three-factor solution of the ACQ-R (emotional, threat, and stress control) was replicated by confirmatory analysis. The model fit improved when item 15 was changed from the emotional to the stress scale. Significant associations between ACQ-R scores and depression, anxiety, affect, and quality of life were found. During pregnancy, the measurement of risk factors for the development of anxiety disorders is needed. The ACQ-R is a short and valid instrument that assesses anxiety control perception during pregnancy, which can be a mechanism underlying anxiety progression, and hence a potential target for treatment.