Perception of Pregnancy and Social Support as Predictors of Alcohol Consumption during Pregnancy

Abstract

Although an association between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and adverse fetal outcomes has been well documented, variables related to alcohol consumption during pregnancy have remained neglected. Since pregnancy has been considered a time of crisis and stress for pregnant women, this study sought to determine the association of perceptions of pregnancy and social support to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The 311 Southern metropolitan prenatal patients sampled were interviewed twice during pregnancy. Perception of pregnancy was not found to be correlated with either social support or alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Social support was significantly associated with decreased alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Using standard multiple regressions, two components of social support, general support and pregnancy support, were found to be working in opposite directions prior to pregnancy, with general support showing a positive association with alcohol consumption. Only pregnancy support continued to account for a significant amount of the variance in alcohol consumption during the first 4 months of pregnancy. Pregnancy support, additionally, showed a significant negative association with high maximum drinking (consuming five or more drinks on occasion) prior to pregnancy. These findings suggest that social support may be an important predictor of alcohol consumption both prior to and during pregnancy and merits further investigation.

Strengthening the Case: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Is Associated With Increased Risk for Conduct Disorder

“…This concern arose from the fact that women who choose to drink in pregnancy are not a randomly selected sample. For instance, women who drink in pregnancy are known to be more likely to have preexisting antisocial or alcohol use disorders16-18 as well as indicators of adverse environments such as physical abuse19 or high levels of psychosocial stress and low social support 20. Additionally, women with antisociality or alcohol use disorders may be more likely to select antisocial or alcoholic mates 21-22.…”

Late Entry Into Prenatal Care in a Rural Setting

“…In other studies, lack of social support predicted late entry (15, 16). Early entry appears less likely if a woman does not have a relationship with a current partner and especially if she does not communicate freely with her partner about the pregnancy (17‐20). Finally, early entry may be less likely if women do not perceive providers as part of their support network or if they dislike doctors (1).…”

The Prenatal/Early Infancy Project.

“…Although the evidence regarding social support as a moderator of stress is more difficult to interpret, it is commonly observed that individuals who are isolated from supportive social networks have higher rates of mortality and morbidity (Berkman & Syme, 1979), and isolated parents are at much greater risk for smoking cigarettes during pregnancy (McCormick et al, 1986), heavy prenatal alcohol consumption (Stephens, 1985), and caregiving dysfunction (Garbarino & Crouter, 1978).…”