Partner relationship satisfaction and maternal emotional distress in early pregnancy

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Gun-Mette B Røsand¹  Kristian Tambs¹  Espen Røysamb²  Malin Eberhard-Gran³  Kari Slinning⁴ 

[1] Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404, Nydalen, N-0403, Oslo, Norway;Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404, Nydalen, N-0403, Oslo, Norway;Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway;Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404, Nydalen, N-0403, Oslo, Norway;Health Services Research Centre, Akershus University Hospital, Norway;Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404, Nydalen, N-0403, Oslo, Norway;National Network for Infant Mental Health, Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Norway;

关键词: Emotional Distress;    Single Mother;    Relationship Satisfaction;    Alcohol Problem;    Work Stress;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-11-161

 received in 2010-06-02, accepted in 2011-03-14,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundRecognition of maternal emotional distress during pregnancy and the identification of risk factors for this distress are of considerable clinical- and public health importance. The mental health of the mother is important both for herself, and for the physical and psychological health of her children and the welfare of the family. The first aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for maternal emotional distress during pregnancy with special focus on partner relationship satisfaction. The second aim was to assess interaction effects between relationship satisfaction and the main predictors.MethodsPregnant women enrolled in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (n = 51,558) completed a questionnaire with questions about maternal emotional distress, relationship satisfaction, and other risk factors. Associations between 37 predictor variables and emotional distress were estimated by multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsRelationship dissatisfaction was the strongest predictor of maternal emotional distress (β = 0.25). Other predictors were dissatisfaction at work (β = 0.11), somatic disease (β = 0.11), work related stress (β = 0.10) and maternal alcohol problems in the preceding year (β = 0.09). Relationship satisfaction appeared to buffer the effects of frequent moving, somatic disease, maternal smoking, family income, irregular working hours, dissatisfaction at work, work stress, and mother's sick leave (P < 0.05).ConclusionsDissatisfaction with the partner relationship is a significant predictor of maternal emotional distress in pregnancy. A good partner relationship can have a protective effect against some stressors.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Røsand et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011