The relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and social support levels in pregnant women with complications in their previous pregnancy

Objective: It was conducted to examine the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and social support levels in pregnant women who had complications in their previous pregnancy. Material and Method: This analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out between 04.10.2021 and 03.10.2022 with 301 pregnant women who were at least 12 weeks old and applied to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Aydın Gynecology and Childhood Hospital and Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital. Data were collected using the Pregnant Descriptive Form, the Civil Version of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire (PTSBSL-SV), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U Test and Kruskal Wallis Analysis of Variance. Results: The median age of the pregnant women participating in the study was 29.0 (18.0-44.0). 57.8% of the pregnant women were primary school graduates, 73.8% were not employed in any job, 72.4% had income equal to expenses, 83.7% had a nuclear family type structure, 91.4% had a nuclear family type structure. It was determined that his wife was supportive. 59.8% of the pregnant women were at 28 weeks of gestation and above, 40.9% had a total of four pregnancies or more, 66.4% had a miscarriage, 68.8% had a planned pregnancy, 58% It was determined that of them received prenatal care. The total score of the pregnant women participating in the study from the PTSBSL-SV was 28.6±10.4, and the mean subscale scores were 7.7±4.5 for reexperiencing, 11.0±4.2 for avoidance, and 10.0±3.9 for hyperarousal, respectively. The total mean score obtained from MSPSS is 64.4±16.1, the family subscale mean 25.2±4.8, the friends subscale mean 19.1±8.3, the special person subscale mean 20.1±7.7 It was found to be. A negative, low-level, statistically significant relationship was found between the pregnant women's PTSBSL-SV total score and their MSPSS total score. A statistically significant correlation was found between the sociodemographic characteristics (spousal support status) and obstetric characteristics (pregnancy-related problems and prenatal care status) and PTSBSL-SV scores of the pregnant women. While a significant correlation was found between the sociodemographic characteristics (age, education level, education level of the spouse, the support status of the spouse) and the MSPSS scores of the pregnant women, no statistically significant correlation was found between the obstetric characteristics and MSPSS scores. Conclusion: In line with the findings of the study, it was concluded that the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and social support levels in pregnant women who had complications in their previous pregnancy was negative. It is recommended that health professionals determine the PTSD and social support levels of pregnant women with complications in their previous pregnancies during prenatal follow-ups. Key Words: Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Social Support