Social Determinants of Partner Support in Pregnancy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Paternal support during pregnancy is associated with better birth outcomes. Little research has focused on what social determinants of health are associated with greater partner support during pregnancy. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 198 pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 44 years were surveyed in the outpatient obstetrics and gynecology offices of Thomas Jefferson University. Women who identified their partner as their main support were included in this analysis. Composite support score for each woman was generated from a modified version of the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire on a scale from 5 to 35. Support scores were evaluated with women's demographic information using analysis of variance and Student's t test. RESULTS: Women who were married had an average support score of 33.07 compared with 30.78 for unmarried women (P<.001). Women with a household income of $0–20,000 had an average support score of 27.9, compared with 33.4 for those with an income of $100,000+, with feelings of support increasing by income bracket (P<.001). Women with a high school diploma or less had an average support score of 30.1, compared with 32.7 for those with a graduate degree (P=.01). Age, prior children, and health issues in pregnancy were not associated with a significant increase in support. CONCLUSIONS: Social determinants of health associated with increased partner support included relationship status, annual household income, and education level. Stability of relationship, financial status, and career all may allow a woman to feel secure as she moves forward in her pregnancy.