Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore associations between forms of social support and levels of psychological distress during pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 2,743 pregnant women from south-east Queensland, Australia, was conducted utilising data collected between 2007-2011 as part of the Environments for Healthy Living (EFHL) project, Griffith University. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler 6; social support was measured using the following four factors: living with a partner, living with parents or in-laws, self-perceived social network, and area satisfaction. Data were analysed using an ordered logistic regression model controlling for a range of socio-demographic factors. Results: There was an inverse association between self-perceived strength of social networks and levels of psychological distress (OR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.70, 0.85) and between area satisfaction and levels of psychological distress (OR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.69, 0.87). There was a direct association between living with parents or in-laws and levels of psychological distress (OR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.16, 1.96). There was no statistically significant association between living with a partner and the level of psychological distress of the pregnant woman after accounting for household income. Conclusion: Living with parents or in-laws is a strong marker for psychological distress. Strategies aiming to build social support networks for women during pregnancy have the potential to provide a significant benefit. Policies promoting stable family relationships and networks through community development could also be effective in promoting the welfare of pregnant women.
Highlights
A correlation between social support and mental health has long been recognised, with a general consensus that social support is an important mechanism in reducing psychological distress in individuals [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Poor relationship between a pregnant woman and her partner has been suggested to create financial and caregiving strain resulting in psychological distress and anxiety in pregnant women [1, 7, 11, 13]
This study aims to demonstrate the importance of social support for pregnant women and reveal differences between four forms of social support with regard to their association with psychological distress
Summary
A correlation between social support and mental health has long been recognised, with a general consensus that social support is an important mechanism in reducing psychological distress in individuals [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Implying that the alternative, little social involvement and poor social support, are negatively associated with mental wellbeing. Social support has been found to have a positive effect on psychological wellbeing [11, 12]. Poor (or lack of) relationship between a pregnant woman and her partner has been suggested to create financial and caregiving strain resulting in psychological distress and anxiety in pregnant women [1, 7, 11, 13]. Other forms of social support have been found to benefit the wellbeing of pregnant women by providing childcare minding and advice [14, 15]
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