From Information to Worry: How Selective Interrogation of Information Shapes Expectancies in the Prenatal Period

The current study examined the association between elevated prenatal worry and negative expectancies about parenthood and the potential cognitive mechanisms driving such expectancies. Two main hypotheses were examined: First, that negative expectancies about parenthood contribute to elevated prenatal worry, and second, negative selective interrogation of information about parenthood contributes to the formation of more negative expectancies about parenthood. The study recruited 92 first-time pregnant women and evaluated their prenatal worry, parenthood expectancies, and tendency to volitionally choose negative rather than positive information about parenthood (i.e., demonstrate a negative interrogation bias). Our findings revealed a significant association between negative expectancies about parenthood and elevated prenatal worry. Additionally, those with a negative interrogation bias were more likely to hold negative expectancies concerning
parenthood. The relationship between this bias and prenatal worry was mediated by negative expectancies. Findings are discussed with regards to limitations and potential implications for expectancy-focused interventions for prenatal worry.