Perceived social support in pregnant women and its related demographic and reproductive factors

Objective: Pregnancy and transition to motherhood are important events and parents face a variety of challenges in these periods. Social support acts like a buffer in stressful periods of life and causes better quality of life and healthy birth outcomes. This study examines the demographic and reproductive factors affecting the mothers` perceived social support, to help parents cope with these special periods more effectively.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 165 pregnant women referring to Al-Zahra maternity hospital in Rasht. Demographic and Reproductive questionnaire and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was completed through interviewing pregnant women in latent phase of labor. Mode of delivery was asked after delivery.Results: Total mean score of MSPSS in pregnant women was 43.92 ± 8.5 (score range:12-60). Support by “significant others” had the highest mean score among all dimensions and support by “friends” had the lowest score. Maternal level of education (P=0.005), maternal occupation (P=0.014), number of abortions (P=0.041) and mode of delivery (P=0.085) are the most important factors having positive impact on MSPSS of pregnant women. While paternal level of education (P=0.003), economic status (P=0.02) and parity (P=0.069) are the most important factors having negative impacts on MSPSS.Conclusions: The importance of social support by family members, especially the spouse during pregnancy was determined. Health care providers should present educational, counseling and support services with a family-centered approach in prenatal care sessions to create a sense of power and confidence in mothers to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.

کلیدواژه ها:

Perceived social support ، Pregnant women ، Related factors