Relationship between Social Support and Quality of Life in Childbearing Women during the Perinatal Period

doi:10.1111/j.1552-6909.2012.01400.x

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing

Volume 41, Issue 6, November–December 2012, Pages E62-E70

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2012.01400.x Get rights and content

ABSTRACT

Objective

To explore demographic and social support predictors of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) (mental and physical) for childbearing women in the perinatal period.

Design

Longitudinal.

Sample

Three public hospitals in metropolitan Brisbane, Australia.

Participants

Four hundred seventy‐three (473) women recruited at 36 weeks of pregnancy, and 6 and 12 weeks following childbirth.

Methods

The Short Form‐12 (SF‐12) Version 2 Health Survey was used to measure the mental and physical domains of HRQoL. Social support was measured using the Maternal Social Support Scale (MSSS).

Results

Mean scores for the mental and physical domains of HRQoL were lower than population norms. Social support was found to be a significant and consistent predictor of higher HRQoL scores, particularly in the physical domain at 12 weeks following child birth and mental domain during the perinatal period. The relationship between social support and HRQoL was found to be independent of other factors including education, length of relationship with partner, age, parity, and antenatal visit. The only other significant predictor was length of relationship with partner in the mental domain at 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Conclusion

Social support is a significant and consistent predictor of a mother's HRQoL during the perinatal period. Nurses and midwives need to assess social support, rather than making assumptions based on demographic factors.

Section snippets

Design

This study was part of a larger longitudinal project, results of which have been published elsewhere (Emmanuel et al., 2011; Emmanuel, Creedy, St John, Gamble, & Brown, 2008). This analysis focused on the relationship between demographic and social support factors and HRQoL in the perinatal period. The study received ethics approval from the participating university and hospitals where data collection occurred.

Setting and Sample

Women were recruited from three public hospitals in the metropolitan area of

Results

As expected, response rates decreased over the three time periods with a 23% attrition rate over the three time points. Of the 605 women who responded at T1, 96 women dropped out at time T2 and 35 women at T3. Despite this, 473 (77%) women completed the survey at all three time points, and t tests on the demographic data indicated no statistically significant differences between the women who dropped out and those who completed the study. Demographic characteristics of those who completed the

Discussion

We examined social predictors of HRQoL for women during the perinatal period and found that all HRQoL dimensions (except for perceptions of general health) were lower than the Australian population norm. Other Australian studies on mothers also reflected these findings and in particular highlighted higher rates of depression and maternal role performance (Bayer, Hiscock, Hampton, & Wake, 2007; Hiscock & Wake, 2001). Our results suggested that women are challenged in the HRQoL‐physical and

Conclusion

Social support was identified as a significant and independent predictor of HRQoL. Other specific social predicting factors included length of relationship with partner. Our findings suggest that social factors play an important role in a mother's sense of well‐being. These factors in the perinatal period equip new mothers in their physical and mental adjustments and recovery during the transition to motherhood. The findings suggest that nurses and midwives need to be conscious of mother's

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Perinatal depression during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in a single prenatal clinic in Southern Italy: The role of loneliness, anxiety, and maternal support
2023, Journal of Affective Disorders Reports
The current study aimed at assessing the levels of perinatal depression (i.e., both antenatal and postnatal) during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in a group of Italian women, as well as to evaluate the role of loneliness, anxiety, and lack of maternal support in cumulatively predicting perinatal depression.
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 Italian women recruited during a peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy (i.e., from September to December 2021) from a single prenatal clinic in Southern Italy. A non-parametric binomial test was conducted to assess whether the perinatal depression frequencies of the current sample differed from those found in a pre-Covid reference group. Additionally, hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses assessing whether loneliness, anxiety, and maternal support affected women's perinatal depression were also conducted.
The general prevalence of perinatal depression was significantly higher in participants recruited during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-Covid reference group (29% vs. 9.2%). However, results showed that, contrary to postnatal depression (18.2% vs. 19.9%), only the prevalence of antenatal depression was significantly higher compared to the pre-Covid reference group (39.6% vs. 6.4%). Furthermore, loneliness and anxiety, but not maternal support, were associated with higher levels of PD.
Limitations concerned the cross-sectional nature of the study and the relatively small sample size.
This study sheds light on the need to address perinatal mental health of women during major stressful events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health-related quality of life during three trimesters of pregnancy in Morocco: cross-sectional pilot study
2023, eClinicalMedicine
Pregnancy is universally considered a normal physiological process. However, it has a considerable impact on the quality of mothers’ lives. This study piloted the use of the generic EuroQoL-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) descriptive system and the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) questionnaire, to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during pregnancy and its associated factors.
In this cross-sectional pilot study carried out from August to December 2019 we assessed the HRQoL and its associated factors among Moroccan pregnant women who received prenatal care at Settat's health centers. The collected data from 270 pregnant women were compared to a dataset of 289 non-pregnant women using the EQ-5D-5L instrument and socioeconomic and obstetrical questionnaires. A multiple linear regression model was used to identify associated factors. The HRQoL comparison was made using the improved RIDIT approach, which allows estimating the Absolute Risk Increase (ARI) of problems related to mobility, usual activities, and self-care and the ARI of pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression (i.e. an ARI = 10% in mobility means that pregnancy increases problems in this health dimension by 10%).
A total of 559 women were included in our study. Our results showed that the HRQoL in pregnant women was significantly lower than in non-pregnant women (EQ-5D index score = 0.71 ± 0.24 vs 0.79 ± 0.29; p < 0.0001). Similarly, the pregnancy reduced the EQ-VAS score (mean difference = −7.8 ± 17.21; p < 0.0001). The pregnancy increased the problems in mobility (ARI = 9.7% [1.7–17.6], p = 0.02), in self-care (ARI = 8% [2–14], p = 0.01), and in usual activities (ARI = 27.3% [18.9–35.7], p < 0.0001). Also, the pregnancy increased pain/discomfort (ARI = 26.5% [18–35.1], p < 0.0001) and anxiety/depression (ARI = 12% [3.2–20.9], p = 0.0112). The rural pregnant women had the worst HRQoL (EQ-5D index score = 0.57) compared to their urban peers (EQ-5D index score = 0.77). Likewise, women in the third trimester and nulliparous had the worst HRQoL (EQ-5D index score = 0.64 and 0.84 respectively).
The results highlighted that place of residence, parity, and gestational age are strongly associated with pregnant's HRQoL. The five EQ-5D-5L dimensions were affected during pregnancy. Consequently, there is a need to develop specific programs to monitor the HRQoL during pregnancy in order to ensure better maternal health care.
This study was funded by University Hassan First’s own fund [grant number FP/01/2018].
Perceived social support and prenatal wellbeing; The mediating effects of loneliness and repetitive negative thinking on anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic
2022, Women and Birth
Prenatal depression and anxiety are linked to poor maternal and infant outcomes. We need to understand predictors of poor mental health to identify at-risk women, and targets for support.
Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between low levels of perceived social support, and depression and anxiety in pregnant women. However, there is a lack of research into the factors that may mediate this relationship.
As social distancing measures (e.g., lockdown) are likely to negatively affect women’s perceived support in the prenatal period, we investigated the relationship between perceived social support and both anxiety and depression in UK-based pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, we examined two potential mediators that may contribute to psychological symptoms: repetitive negative thinking and loneliness.
We administered a battery of online measures to a sample of pregnant women (N = 205) between May-June 2020, during the first peak of the pandemic in the UK, when perceived social support was likely to be low.
Consistent with predictions, perceived social support was significantly negatively related to depression, anxiety, loneliness and repetitive negative thinking. Furthermore, repetitive negative thinking and loneliness mediated the relationship between perceived social support and both depression and anxiety. Moreover, perceived social support and loneliness were associated with specific types of online behaviours.
Taken together, the findings shed light on the processes through which social support may exert its effects on depression and anxiety and highlight potential therapeutic targets for interventions which aim to prevent and treat mood disorders in perinatal cohorts.
Depressive symptoms, social support, and health-related quality of life: A community-based study in Shanghai, China
2022, Comprehensive Psychiatry
Citation Excerpt :
For example, a prospective study in Finland suggests that depression is more often associated with subjective SS than objective SS [7], which is also supported by findings from Chinese college students [8]. The association among depressive symptoms, SS, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been studied in many specific groups, including childbearing women [9,10], adolescents with heart disease [11], veterans [12], and HIV populations [13,14]. However, only a few studies have been carried out in the general adult population [15,16].
Depressive symptoms erode both physical and mental aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Social support (SS) may improve HRQoL through its direct effects or buffering effects. The association among depressive symptoms, SS, and HRQoL has been studied in specific groups, but research in the general adult population remains limited. This study examined the association among depressive symptoms, SS, and HRQoL, including exploring whether SS (including its three dimensions: subjective SS, objective SS and support utilization) mediated or moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and HRQoL among community-based adults.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey in six communities in Shanghai, China, and 1642 adult participants with complete information on depressive symptoms and/or SS, and HRQoL were included. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the association among depressive symptoms, SS, and HRQoL. In addition, we explored the mediating and moderating role of SS in the relationship between depressive symptoms and HRQoL.
More depressive symptoms were associated with lower physical HRQoL (B = −0.64, p < .001) and lower mental HRQoL (B = −0.83, p < .001). SS (B = 0.07, p = .02), specifically subjective SS (B = 0.09, p = .03), was positively related to mental HRQoL. After adjusting for covariates, we found no evidence for a mediating role of SS in the relationship between depressive symptoms and HRQoL, while SS (subjective SS and objective SS) moderated the association between depressive symptoms and mental HRQoL.
Due to the low voluntary participation rate of employees, participants represented approximately 50% of the individuals approached, thus limiting the generalizability of our findings. Data collected through self-report scales could lead to information bias.
SS does not appear to underlie the relationship between depressive symptoms and HRQoL. However, interventions to increase SS (in particular, subjective SS and objective SS) should be studied to determine whether they may be beneficial in alleviating the adverse impact of depressive symptoms on mental HRQoL.
The development and psychometric testing of the Perinatal Infant Care Social Support (PICSS) instrument
2019, Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Citation Excerpt :
Furthermore, their development using a theoretical framework is absent. As per social support theory, there is a need to separate the sources and the types of support as assumptions of support are frequently made [31]. No previous instrument has been developed underpinned by theory measuring social support for new mothers in the context of infant care practices.
Social support facilitates a woman's transition to motherhood. This major developmental transition can be stressful as it includes adaptation of self as well as learning new infant care practice skills. Although a number of instruments have been developed to measure social support, none have been developed or underpinned by theory in the context of perinatal infant care practices.
To develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure social support for new mothers in the perinatal period.
Phase 1 involved the development of instrument structure and content. Constructs to be measured were defined through an analysis of relevant theoretical and empirical literature.
Phase 2 established the psychometric properties of the functional domain of the PICSS. Exploratory factor analyses and principal Component Analyses were undertaken with a sample of first-time mothers (n = 371) from postnatal wards of a large maternity hospital. Item reduction and Cronbach's alpha reliability tests were performed. The structural social support domain was not amenable to psychometric testing.
Exploratory Factor Analyses and Principal Component Analyses of the functional domain resulted in a logically coherent 19-item, two-factor solution. The first factor ‘Supporting Presence’ has nine items (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90) and the second factor ‘Practical Support’ has ten items (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86).
The PICSS is a coherent and valid measure of social support for new mothers in the postnatal period in the context of infant care practices.
Internet networks as a source of social support for women with mobility disabilities during pregnancy
2019, Disability and Health Journal
Social support during pregnancy is important for the health of mother and baby, yet little is known about social support available to women with disabilities during pregnancy. Internet social networks are one emerging source of social support, and social networks may help connect mothers with similar disabilities.
To examine the perceptions of women with mobility impairments about social support received during pregnancy from three sources: women with similar disabilities and previous pregnancy known in-person, women with similar disabilities and previous pregnancy met via online social networks, and healthcare providers.
For this cross-sectional study, an online survey of women with mobility impairments examining emotional and informational social support during pregnancy was distributed through email lists, social media and snowball recruitment. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were conducted to examine differences in social support received by source.
Responses from 63 eligible women were received. The majority of participants (n = 32, 51%) were connected both in-person and online to women with similar disabilities who had been pregnant, but 15 women (24%) were not connected to any women with similar disabilities who had been pregnant. Scores for informational social support from women met online were significantly higher than from women known in-person (p < .01) and from healthcare providers (p < .01). Scores for emotional social support from women met online were significantly higher than from women known in-person (p < .05).
Interventions promoting online connections may help leverage an underutilized source of social support for women with mobility impairments seeking social support during pregnancy.

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Article OnlineRelationship between Social Support and Quality of Life in Childbearing Women during the Perinatal Period

ABSTRACT

Objective

Design

Sample

Participants

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Section snippets

Design

Setting and Sample

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Asian Nursing Research

Midwifery

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Midwifery

Annals of Epidemiology

Lancet

European Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

International Journal of Nursing Studies

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

1995 National health survey

Sleep problems in young infants and maternal mental and physical health

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

Quality of life: Assessment in health settings

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioural Sciences

Health‐related quality of life of mothers: A review of the research

Health Care for Women International

Health related quality of life on postpartum depressed women

Archives of Women's Mental Health

Sleep problems and depressed mood negatively impact health‐related quality of life during pregnancy

Archives of Women's Mental Health

Diversity and change in Australian families: Statistical profiles

Maternal role development: The influence of maternal distress following childbirth

Maternal role development following childbirth among Australian women

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Maternal distress: A concept analysis

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Self‐esteem as a mediator of the effects of stressors and social resources on depressive symptoms in postpartum mothers

Nursing Research

Social support: A conceptual analysis

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Article Online
Relationship between Social Support and Quality of Life in Childbearing Women during the Perinatal Period