Zeinab Hamzehgardeshi - Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Zohreh Shahhosseini - Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Mina Malari - Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Ph.D Student of Reproductive Health, Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of M
Mehdi Pourasghar - Fellowship of Psychotherapy, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Jamshid Yazdani charati - Department of Biostatistics, Health Sciences Research Center, School of Health Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Malihe Amerian - M.Sc in Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences ,Shahroud, Iran
Zahra Amirkhanzadeh Barandouzi - Ph.D. Candidate, School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, CT, USA.

Background: Physiological and psychological impacts of pregnancy may relate to anxiety symptoms in nulliparous women. An effective communication between couples can have protective effects against anxiety in this period. Objectives: The present study intended to assess the relationship between communication skills and the anxiety during pregnancy in nulliparous women. Methods: This study adhered to a descriptive cross-sectional design. In this study, 100 nulliparous women of 18 to 40 years old were selected through a two-stage cluster sampling in Health Centers of Sari, Iran (2014-2015). We used the Spielbergerchr('39')s questionnaire to measure pregnancy anxiety and Queendomchr('39')s questionnaire to assess coupleschr('39') communication skills. Statistical-descriptive methods and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of the women participating in the study was 27.15±4.69. The results showed that there was a negative significant correlation between communication skills and state (r=-0.45, p<0.01) and trait anxiety (r=-0.51, p<0.01). However, there was no significant relationship between one of the subscales of communication skills (assertiveness) and state and trait anxiety. Conclusion: This study indicated a negative correlation between communication skills and pregnancy anxiety. Strong communication skills could diminish pregnancy anxiety and eventually lead to higher psychological health.

Anxiety, communication, Iran, nulliparity, pregnancy