Association between Psychological Status with Perceived Social Support in Pregnant Women referring to Tabriz Health Centers

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Pregnancy considered as one of the most important periods in a woman's life. Although this period for most women is supposed to be a joyous time, it is often a stressful period associated with physiological and psychological changes. Physical and mental health and social support affects pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the psychological status of pregnant women and their spouse's with perceived social support. Method: This cross sectional study was carried out on 372 couples who were referred to health centers of Tabriz, in the third trimester of pregnancy cluster sampling method was used. Data were collected by using demographic questionnaires, perceived social support (PRQ-85) and the short form of depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21). Data analysis was carried out by using Spearman, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal Wallis tests and linear regression. Results: The mean (SD) score of perceived social support for women 131.5 (18.9) and their spouse's 132.9 (17.4) in the range of 175-25 was achieved. In terms of the scale of mental health, median (percentile 25-75) score of anxiety in women 4.0 (3.0-7.0) and in men 2.0 (1.0-3.0), depression in women 1.0 (0.0-6.0) and men 1.0 (0.0-3.0) and stress in women 8.0 (0.6-10.0) and men 8.0 (4.0-10.0) was achieved. According to the Spearman test anxiety scales in women (r= -0.355, P<0.001), depression in women (r= -0.541, P<0.001) and stress for women (r= -0.302, P<0.001), there was a strong negative correlation with perceived social support. Also, anxiety scales in men (r= -0.390, P<0.001), depression in men (r= -0.277, P<0.001) and stress for men (r= -0.290, P<0.001), there was a strong negative correlation with perceived social support. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that perceived social support affects the mental state of women and their spouse's in the third trimester of pregnancy, in fact, with increasing levels of social support, the level of anxiety, depression and stress decreases.