Influence of social support and family function on the mental state of pregnant women in late pregnancy

ObjectiveTo explore the influence of social support and family function on the mental state of pregnant women in late pregnancy.

MethodsThe social support, family function and mental state of 580 pregnant women in late pregnancy were evaluated using the social support rating scale, family care index, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS).

ResultsThe SAS and SDS score of pregnant women in late pregnancy were (45.36±9.89) and (52.19±12.01), respectively, which was significantly higher than those of the domestic norm (P < 0.01).The differences of SAS in pregnant women in late pregnancy with different pregnancy times, family per capita monthly income and poor pregnancy history were statistically significant (P < 0.01), and the differences of SDS in pregnant women in late pregnancy with whether employed and adverse pregnancy history were statistically significant (P < 0.01).The average score of social support and total family function score of pregnant women in late pregnancy were (41.25±7.23) and (7.56±1.54), respectively.The results of multiple linear regression results showed that subjective support and total family function scores were negatively correlated with the SAS scores in pregnant women in late pregnancy (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).The total family function score, poor maternal history and subjective support were negatively correlated with the SDS scores in pregnant women in late pregnancy (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe social support and family function have a great impact on the mental state of pregnant women in late pregnancy.Improving the level of social support, and maintaining the good family function are conducive to the relief of adverse mood and improve mental health in pregnant women.