Stressful life events during pregnancy, assessed at the initial
evaluation
The Paykel scale, a validated questionnaire of 64 questions each with a
subjective score of the intensity of the impact, was used to identify
stressful events (34). Stressful life events were based on subjective
experience, as assessed during the initial evaluation. Events were
considered as stressful if they had a negative impact considered
“marked” or “severe” by the participant. The Paykel scale was
administered three time points: at the maternity department, at 8 weeks
and at 1 year postpartum.
The 64 items are organized into 11 categories: work, teaching, wealth,
health, bereavement, moving, love relationships, legal issues, family,
conjugal and other.