Path analysis associations between perceived social support, stressful life events and other psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy and preterm delivery

doi:10.5812/ircmj.11271

. 2013 Jun;15(6):507-14.

doi: 10.5812/ircmj.11271. Epub 2013 Jun 5.

Path analysis associations between perceived social support, stressful life events and other psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy and preterm delivery

Arash Mirabzadeh¹, Mahrokh Dolatian², Ameneh Setare Forouzan², Homeira Sajjadi², Hamid Alavi Majd³, Zohreh Mahmoodi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Department of Psychiatric, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
² Department of Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
³ Department of Biostatistics, School of Paramedical Sciences, ShahidBeheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
⁴ Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IR Iran.

PMID: 24349750
PMCID: PMC3840839
DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.11271

Path analysis associations between perceived social support, stressful life events and other psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy and preterm delivery

Arash Mirabzadeh et al. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2013 Jun.

. 2013 Jun;15(6):507-14.

doi: 10.5812/ircmj.11271. Epub 2013 Jun 5.

Authors

Arash Mirabzadeh¹, Mahrokh Dolatian², Ameneh Setare Forouzan², Homeira Sajjadi², Hamid Alavi Majd³, Zohreh Mahmoodi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Department of Psychiatric, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
² Department of Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
³ Department of Biostatistics, School of Paramedical Sciences, ShahidBeheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
⁴ Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IR Iran.

PMID: 24349750
PMCID: PMC3840839
DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.11271

Abstract

Background: Although several socio-medical risk factors have been identified for preterm labor, there is a gap in understanding the underlying etiology of preterm labor.

Objectives: The current study aimed to analyze the relationship pathway of perceived social support, stressful life events, and other psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy with incidence of preterm labor.

Materials and methods: In a prospective cohort study in four hospitals in Tehran, 500 pregnant women in their 24th to 28th gestational weeks were studied. They filled out a self-report questionnaire on perceived social support, depression, anxiety, stress and stressful life events. Sociodemographic characteristics were also assessed. The participants were followed up until labor, and the data about mother and the newborn were collected after labor. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 and Lisrel 8.8 software programs using pathway analysis.

Results: The final path model fit well (CFI = 0.96; RMSEA = .064). The results showed that depression, anxiety, and stress (β = -0.18) directly, and stressful life events indirectly (β= -0.0396) had the most predict on gestational age at labor. Perceived social support, directly through socioeconomic status (β=0.25), and indirectly through stress, depression and anxiety (β= -0.26) affected the gestational age at birth (β= 0.0468).

Conclusions: The current study showed that supporting pregnant mother moderates psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression, and hence reduces preterm labor.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Path Analysis; Social Support; Stress; Stressful Life Events.

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Figures

**Figure 1.. Theoretical Path Model for Effects of Psychological and Socio-Economic Predictors on Gestational Age**

**Figure 3.. Full Empirical Model (Empirical Path Model for Effects of Stressful Life Events, Socioeconomic Status, Perceived Social Support, Dass-21on Preterm Labor**

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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1. Ghosh JK, Wilhelm MH, Dunkel-Schetter C, Lombardi CA, Ritz BR. Paternal support and preterm birth, and the moderation of effects of chronic stress: a study in Los Angeles county mothers. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2010;13(4):327–38. doi: 10.1007/s00737-009-0135-9. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
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[1] Egan LA, Gutierrez AK, Cuevas MP, Lucio JR. [Epidemiological profile of premature labor]. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2008;76(9):542–8. - PubMed

[2] Egan LA, Gutierrez AK, Cuevas MP, Lucio JR. [Epidemiological profile of premature labor]. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2008;76(9):542–8. - PubMed

[3] Ghosh JK, Wilhelm MH, Dunkel-Schetter C, Lombardi CA, Ritz BR. Paternal support and preterm birth, and the moderation of effects of chronic stress: a study in Los Angeles county mothers. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2010;13(4):327–38. doi: 10.1007/s00737-009-0135-9. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[4] Ghosh JK, Wilhelm MH, Dunkel-Schetter C, Lombardi CA, Ritz BR. Paternal support and preterm birth, and the moderation of effects of chronic stress: a study in Los Angeles county mothers. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2010;13(4):327–38. doi: 10.1007/s00737-009-0135-9. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[5] Queenan JT, Spong CY, Lockwood CJ. Management of high-risk pregnancy. Available from: http://www.worldcat.org/title/management-of-high-risk-pregnancy/oclc/224....

[6] Queenan JT, Spong CY, Lockwood CJ. Management of high-risk pregnancy. Available from: http://www.worldcat.org/title/management-of-high-risk-pregnancy/oclc/224....

[7] Silveira MF, Victora CG, Barros AJ, Santos IS, Matijasevich A, Barros FC. Determinants of preterm birth: Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, 2004 birth cohort. Cad Saude Publica. 2010;26(1):185–94. - PubMed

[8] Silveira MF, Victora CG, Barros AJ, Santos IS, Matijasevich A, Barros FC. Determinants of preterm birth: Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, 2004 birth cohort. Cad Saude Publica. 2010;26(1):185–94. - PubMed

[9] Steer P. The epidemiology of preterm labour. BJOG. 2005;112 Suppl 1:1–3. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2005.00575.x. - DOI - PubMed

[10] Steer P. The epidemiology of preterm labour. BJOG. 2005;112 Suppl 1:1–3. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2005.00575.x. - DOI - PubMed

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Path analysis associations between perceived social support, stressful life events and other psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy and preterm delivery

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Path analysis associations between perceived social support, stressful life events and other psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy and preterm delivery

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