Social support and pregnancy:I. Factorial structure and psychosocial correlates of perceived social support

Abstract

In a questionnaire survey among 1329 first‐trimester pregnant women, social support providers were divided by factor analysis into husband, ‘premarital network’ (parents and friends) and ‘postmarital network’ (children and mother‐in‐law), while social support contents were divided into ‘given’ (emotional, informational and instrumental support) and ‘giving’ (nurturing opportunity and general confiding). The husband was most frequently nominated by the woman as the support provider in both of these categories. Multiple regression analyses revealed that a husband's poor ‘given’ support was predicted by the presence of premenstrual irritability, a lower level of the woman's own education, her smoking habits and past experience of pregnancy termination, while a husband's poor ‘giving’ support was predicted by current older age, smoking habits and past experience of delivery.

Effects of Partners’ Attitudes towards Wife’s Aspirations on Depression after Childbirth

“…A partner is the most important person as a resource of "perceived" social support in the perinatal period in Japan (Kitamura, Toda, Shima, Sugawara, & Sugawara, 1998). Compared with Western countries, the self-construal in Japanese people becomes most meaningful and complete when it is cast in the appropriate social relationship (Markus & Kitayama, 1991).…”

“…The presence of social support prevents postpartum depression (Dennis & Ross, 2006;Corrigan, Kwasky, & Groh, 2015). During the perinatal period, most women listed their partners as the most reliable person whom they sought for social support (Kitamura, Toda, Shima, Sugawara, & Sugawara, 1998).…”

“…Though very much desired, giving birth to a baby In the perinatal period, women's aspirations are likely to be challenged or threatened because they are often isolated from peers and colleagues. Hence, their partner is very likely to be the main or sole provider of social support (Kitamura, Toda, Shima, Sugawara, & Sugawara, 1998). Provision of emotional, instrumental and informational support by the partner is important but his understanding of and subsequent support for the woman's aspirations may function as a buffer against psychological maladjustment.…”

Identifying and Exploring the Informational and Emotional Support Needs of Primipara Women: A Focus on Supportive Communication

“…Researchers have argued that providing social support to primipara women in both the pre-and postnatal period must be prioritized by health-care providers because of evidence that social support can ensure a successful transition into motherhood (Logsdson & Davis, 2003;Wilkins, 2006). Moreover, a mother's evaluation of her birthing experience is directly linked with the quality, origin, and extent of support acquired from her health-care professional as well as her partner (Simon, Johnson, & Liddell, 2016). Low levels of social support have been associated with higher rates of postnatal depression, especially in the 6 weeks following giving birth (Leahy-Warren, 2005).…”

Precedents of perceived social support: Personality and early life experiences

“…For example, Kitamura et al studied over 1000 pregnant women and found that their perception of nurturing opportunities, an aspect of perceived support, was correlated with older age and more children. 13 The quality and quantity of support received in the course of past events may determine an individual’s satisfaction with current interpersonal relationships. Confidence and contentment in social relationships may date back to childhood; childhood experiences and parental behavior towards the subject may influence the later cognitive style.…”