The effect of perceived social support on prenatal distress in last trimester pregnants

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of perceived social support on prenatal distress in the last trimester. Material and Method: This research is an analytical cross-sectional study. A total of 358 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester (29 and over gestational weeks) who were admitted to a gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic were included in the study. The data of the study were collected by using Personal Information Form, Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NUPDQ), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). In the analysis of the data, SPSS 15,0 for Windows statistical analysis program, number, percentage distribution, mean, Spearman correlation analysis, One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests were used. Results: 45.5% of the pregnant women included in the study were between 25-31 years of age and the average age was 27.2±5.2 years. 85.5% of pregnant women are nuclear family, 45.8% to high school graduate, 83.2% to housewife and 76.0% income equals to outgoings. 43.0% of the pregnancies were first pregnancies and 95.3% of them were planned. There was a significant correlation between MSPSS total scale score and subscales and NUPDQ, scale score in the opposite direction and medium size (p <0.01). There was a significant correlation between MSPSS total scale score and sub-dimensions and HAD Depression scale score in the opposite direction and weak size (p <0.01). Prenatal distress levels were lower in women who stated that their pregnancy was older, had more than their monthly income, had a child who had given birth before and had a child at home and whose pregnancy was planned (p<0,05). Prenatal distress levels were higher in women who expressed concern for their pregnancy (p <0,01). Conclusion: It was determined that prenatal distress and depression levels decreased as the social support perception of pregnant women increased.