Social support and subjective assessment of psychophysical condition, health, and satisfaction with quality of life among women after pregnancy loss

Abstract

Background The task of modern medicine is not just to heal, but also to improve the patient’s well-being and achieve non-medical goals in the therapy process that enable effective physical, mental and social functioning of the patient. Social support in difficult situations mobilizes an individual’s strength and resources to cope with problems. Research on social support and women’s condition after pregnancy loss reflects a holistic approach to the patient and is important from the perspective of increasing the level of hospital care. Objective The aim of our study was to assess the impact of social support on the psychophysical condition, health, and satisfaction with quality of life among women after miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Methods The cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 500 patients after miscarriage and 110 with ectopic pregnancy, hospitalized in hospitals in Lublin (Poland). The study was conducted with the use of a diagnostic survey, comprising the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS) and an original survey questionnaire (psychophysical condition, satisfaction with health and quality of life on a scale of 1–4, sources of support on a scale of 1–10, with 1 being the poorest rating). Results Respondents after miscarriage and those after ectopic pregnancy assigned the highest scores to the degree of perceived available instrumental support (respectively, miscarriage: M = 3.79, EP: M = 3.77). Women after pregnancy loss assigned the highest score to the support obtained from their partner (respectively, miscarriage: M = 9.26, EP: M = 9.23). Social support was significantly correlated with the condition of patients hospitalized as a result of pregnancy loss (p < 0.05). The assessment of psychophysical condition, health, and QoL of the respondents is determined by their education, financial standing, and obstetric history (p < 0.05). Conclusions Women hospitalized due to miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy assigned high scores to the level of perceived available instrumental, emotional, and actually received social support. There is a positive relationship between social support and subjective opinion about psychophysical condition, health and satisfaction with quality of life among women after pregnancy loss. The assessment is determined by sociodemographic factors and the respondents’ obstetric history.

Stress and Coping Strategies among Women in Late Motherhood

“…Social support is understood as a type of social interaction undertaken in problematic or difficult situations. The scientific literature indicates that the social support that a woman receives during pregnancy as well as after childbirth has a significant impact on reducing levels of perceived stress, negative emotions, and anxiety and positively influences the course of pregnancy [27,[36][37][38][39][40].…”

“…The degree of intensity of social support depends on the number of points obtained. The value of the Cronbach's alpha coefficient is 0.80 [26,27].…”

Perinatal Anxiety among Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The support provided them reduces stress and anxiety, increasing their quality-of-life assessment. It has a positive effect on psychophysical well-being, reducing the anxiety associated with hospitalization [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. According to reports by other authors, the support of medical staff was not able to compensate for the lack of a loved one.…”

Psychologic Sequelae in Early Pregnancy Complications

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