The relationship of couples' time perspective to pregnant women's depression symptoms and stress: Preliminary results

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship of a couple's time perspective to a woman's depression symptoms and stress. The participants were 48 pregnant women and 46 male partners of these women. The measurements have been taken during the first and third trimester. Women were examined by gynecologists during gynecological visits. During these visits measurements of gynecological pregnancy evaluation were administered. Then women completed online questionnaires: the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory Past Negative scale, the Dark Future Scale, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale at home. Men completed online questionnaires: the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory Past Negative scale, and the Dark Future Scale at home. The results showed that women's past negative perspective in the first trimester was related to depression symptoms and stress in the first trimester. In the third trimester, women's future negative perspective was related to depression symptoms. Men's future negative perspective in the first trimester was related to women's stress in the first trimester. Moreover, the results suggest that the level of the woman's future negative perspective significantly increases during pregnancy. Attitudes towards time of both the pregnant woman and her partner are related to the emotional state of the woman during pregnancy. •Women's past negative perspective was related to depression symptoms and stress in the first trimester.•Women's future negative perspective was related to depression symptoms in the third trimester.•Men's future negative perspective was related to women's stress in the first trimester.•Women's future negative perspective increases during pregnancy.•Attitudes towards time are important for the emotional state of pregnant women.