Effects of stress, depression, and spousal and familial support on maternal identity in pregnant women

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women. Methods: Using a descriptive research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 127 pregnant women were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Korea from January to April 2019. Measurements included maternal identity, stress, depression, spousal and familial support, and demographic and obstetric characteristics. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean score for maternal identity was 131.15 out of 160, and the mean scores for stress, depression, and spousal and familial support were 14.59 (out of 40), 6.82 (out of 30), and 109.04 (out of 132), respectively. Stress (r=-.38, p<.001), depression (r=-.37, p<.001), and spousal and familial support (r=.37, p<.001) were significantly correlated with maternal identity. In multiple regression analysis, stress (β=-0.27, p=.005) and spousal and familial support (β=0.23, p=.014) were found to be significant factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women (F=14.19, p<.001). Conclusion:It is necessary to develop effective strategies to mitigate stress and to encourage spousal and familial support in pregnant women. Such strategies could further enable pregnant women to enhance their maternal identity.

Multiple mediation effect of coping styles and self-esteem in the relationship between spousal support and pregnancy stress of married immigrant pregnant women

“…We found that the total effect of the degree of spousal support perceived by married immigrant women on pregnancy stress was significant, confirming the results of a previous study ( Seo et al, 2020 ) that reported a high awareness of spousal support during pregnancy contributed to the reduction of pregnancy stress. As the negative emotional experiences of pregnant women make it difficult for them to have positive attitudes toward pregnancy and childbirth, perceiving it as a relative burden, these experiences can act as obstacles to establishing an appropriate maternal identity ( Seo et al, 2020 ). Here, spousal support is an important factor for health and adaptation during pregnancy ( Hwang, 2019 ) and it plays a role in controlling or buffering stress that affects the physical and psychological health of pregnant women ( Yilmaz et al, 2021 ).…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

“…배우자는 산전 진료 및 교육 참여를 통해 임부가 경험하는 신체적, 정서적 불편감에 대한 이해와 공감이 높아지고, 부부간의 긍정적인 소통을 통해 건강한 모성 정체성을 가질 수 있도록 지지체계를 형성한다[ 24 ]. 임신 과정에서 배우자의 지지는 중요한 스트레스 완화 요인이며 임부에게 심리적 안정감을 제공하여 긍정적인 영향을 미치는데[ 42 ], 사회적 거리두기로 인하여 병원 내 보호자 출입이 제한되면서 산전 진료 과정에서 겪는 심리적 고립감과 두려움을 임부 혼자서 경험해야 하는 것이 힘들었던 것으로 보인다. 감염의 확산을 예방하기 위해 최소 인원의 접촉과 거리두기가 중요한 방역 대책이지만[ 9 , 10 ], 임부에게 정서적 안정감을 제공하고 임신 과정의 경험을 긍정적으로 배우자와 공유하기 위해 이를 고려한 진료‧방역지침이 마련되어야 한다.…”

An explanatory model of quality of life in high-risk pregnant women in Korea: a structural equation model

“…Moreover, the antenatal depression score was 10.54 points, 1.7 times higher than the score of 6.12 points for low-risk pregnant women [ 54 ], suggesting the presence of mild depressive symptoms. The maternal identity score was 126.51 points, lower than the score of 131.15 points for low-risk pregnant women [ 55 ] and comparable to the score of 127.80 points for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus [ 56 ]. This implies that high-risk pregnant women may face challenges in attachment behavior and transitioning to motherhood compared to their low-risk counterparts.…”