Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal

Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal

Association between Social Support and Mental Health in Pregnant Women in Ahvaz

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sakineh Ruohandeh 1
Mitra Tadayon 2
Mojgan Javadnoori 3
Mohammad hossein Haghighizadeh 4
Korosh Zarea 5
1 Master's Student of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
2 Menopause Andropause Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3 Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
4 Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
5 Department of Nursing, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
10.22118/jsmj.2025.491847.3773
Abstract
Background and Objectives Pregnancy involves significant physical and mental changes. One of the most important structures affecting mental health is social support. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between social support and mental health in pregnant women.
Subjects and Methods This descriptive-analytical study utilized random cluster sampling to recruit 399 pregnant women in Ahvaz city during 2022. Data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire, the Goldberg and Hiller Mental Health Scale, and the Sherbourne and Stewart Social Support Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25 software, employing descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. A significance level of P<0.05 was adopted.
Results The average total mental health score was 29.19±16.69, indicating a moderate mental health range. We found a significant relationship between social support and all mental health dimensions, including anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression (P<0.001). Specifically, a one-unit increase in tangible support was associated with a decrease of -0.723 units in mean mental health, while a one-unit increase in informational support led to a -1.51 unit decrease (P<0.001). Overall, a one-unit increase in the general social support variable correlated with a -0.35 unit decrease in mean mental health.
Conclusion A significant association exists between social support and various mental health dimensions, such as physical symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression, among pregnant women. Furthermore, an increase in social support during pregnancy contributes to the enhancement of mental health in this population
Keywords
Pregnancy
Mental health
Social support
 
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  • Receive Date 23 December 2024
  • Revise Date 14 May 2025
  • Accept Date 17 May 2025