The effect of perceived spousal support on stress levels in pregnant women presenting to the emegency department

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of perceived spousal support on the stress levels of pregnant women admitted to the emergency department.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 334 pregnant women who directly applied to the Obstetrics Emergency Department of Sakarya Training and Research Hospital between 01.01.2025 and 30.03.2025. During the data collection phase, pregnant women who met the criteria and signed the informed consent form were included in the study. To collect data, a Descriptive Information Form containing sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, the Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale (PSAS), and the Perceived Spousal Support Scale in Pregnancy (PSSSP) were used. For data analysis, t-test, Welch's ANOVA, One Way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were employed. A statistical significance level of p<0,05 was accepted.RESULTS: The mean age of the pregnant women included in the study was 28,43±5,08, and 42,2% were high school graduates. The mean total score of the PSAS was 32,83±23.07, and the mean score of the PSSSP was 70,54±9,97. It was determined that the financial support sub-dimension of the PSSSP negatively affected and reduced the level of stress during pregnancy, while being a university graduate, living in a city, and being in the first trimester were factors that positively affected and increased stress levels.CONCLUSION: As a result of the study, it was found that pregnant women with higher perceived spousal support tended to have lower stress levels. It is recommended to assess social support and determine stress levels in pregnant women who apply to emergency services, especially those in the first trimester, living in urban areas, and university graduates, and to increase financial aid and economic support programs within the scope of social policies.Keywords: Emergency room, pregnanacy, stress, social support, spousal support