Concerns, Worries, and Fears During Pregnancy in Active-Duty United States Air Force Families

Joel S Milner; Julie L Crouch; Joe Ammar; Audra P Jensen; Wendy J Travis; Michael F Wagner

doi:10.1891/JPE-2023-0005

Concerns, Worries, and Fears During Pregnancy in Active-Duty United States Air Force Families

J Perinat Educ. 2024 Apr 1;33(2):52-64. doi: 10.1891/JPE-2023-0005.

Authors

Joel S Milner, Julie L Crouch, Joe Ammar, Audra P Jensen, Wendy J Travis, Michael F Wagner

PMID: 39399784
PMCID: PMC11467706 (available on 2025-04-01)
DOI: 10.1891/JPE-2023-0005

Abstract

There are no published studies on pregnancy-related concerns, worries, and fears (CWFs) in primiparous and multiparous women and men in U.S. Air Force (USAF) families. Reflecting a biopsychosocial model of behavioral health, women's and men's pregnancy-related CWF Questionnaires were developed. Usable data were obtained from 260 women and 243 men in USAF families. Similarities and differences in pregnancy-related CWFs were found when USAF and general population data were compared. The present findings can inform not only the general provision of pregnancy health-related services but also USAF secondary prevention pregnancy-related programs (e.g., USAF nurse home visiting programs for first-time parents). If CWF Questionnaires are individually administered, the information can be used to tailor services to individual client needs.

Keywords: air force; clinical research; fathers; mothers; pregnancy; teaching tools.

Grants and funding

FUNDING The authors received no specific grant or financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. However, the Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault at Northern Illinois University provided participant pay.