Psychosocial Risk Factors and Psychopathological Outcomes: Preliminary Findings in Italian Pregnant Women

Abstract

The perinatal period may represent a particularly challenging time for expecting parents. Previous studies have highlighted an association between several perinatal risk conditions (e.g., childhood maltreatment, poor social support, and stress levels) and the development of psychopathological symptoms in pregnant women, especially depression symptoms. The current study examined the effects of psychosocial risk factors (childhood maltreatment, poor social support, and stressful events) on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, irritability/anger, relationship problems, psychosomatic symptoms, specific physiological problems, and addiction/at-risk behaviors. Sixty-one pregnant women (age range = 24–45) participating in a larger study completed questionnaires about childhood maltreatment (CECA Q.), Maternity Social Support Scale (MSSS), questionnaire on stressful events, and the Perinatal Assessment of Maternal Affectivity (PAMA) during their pregnancy. Results from regression analysis indicated that the presence of childhood maltreatment predicted elevated depressive symptoms, elevated irritability and anger, and elevated relationship problems. Further, stressful events in the year prior to pregnancy predicted elevated psychosomatic symptoms during pregnancy. No other significant associations were found. In this study, traumatic childhood events were strongly associated with mental health symptoms during pregnancy. This is an important finding that suggests the importance of screening and targeting psychotherapeutic interventions for vulnerable women during pregnancy.

Promoting Psychosocial Well-Being and Empowerment of Immigrant Women: A Systematic Review of Interventions

“…It includes feelings of satisfaction with life, high self-esteem, effective coping, resilience, a sense of belonging, and social support [10,[12][13][14]. However, risk factors such as communication difficulties, constant stress, anxiety, discrimination, social isolation, exploitation, abuse, and traumatic experiences can damage this state [15][16][17][18][19]. Studies have indicated that immigrant women scored worse on assessments of mental health and psychosocial well-being when compared to non-immigrant women [20,21], especially if there is an intersection with other aspects such as the color of the person [22].…”