Relationship Between Fear of Childbirth and Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life in Pregnant Women: The Mediating Effect of Pregnancy Anxiety

ABSTRACT Background Psychosocial health affects oral health‐related quality of life. Pregnancy, as a special time for women, produces significant psychological changes. However, the relationship between mental health during pregnancy and oral health‐related quality of life is unclear. Objective The study aims to explore the association between fear of childbirth and investigate the mediating effect of pregnancy anxiety. Methods Using a cross‐sectional design, 478 pregnant women were recruited and evaluated using the Fear of Birth Scale, the Pregnancy‐Related Anxiety Questionnaire and the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14. Multiple linear regressions were performed to evaluate the relationship between fear of childbirth and oral health‐related quality of life. PROCESS software was applied to assess the mediating effect of pregnancy anxiety. Results Both fear of childbirth and pregnancy anxiety were negative correlation with oral health‐related quality. Pregnancy anxiety mediated 40% of the association between fear of childbirth and oral health‐related quality of life (β = 0.072, SE = 0.030, 95% CI [0.015, 0.131]). Conclusions Pregnancy anxiety mediates the relationship between fear of childbirth and oral health‐related quality of life in pregnant women. To improve the oral health‐related quality of life among pregnant women, relevant healthcare workers should actively help pregnant women to improve psychological health.