Stressful Life Events, Social Support, and Mood Disturbance in Hospitalized and Non-hospitalized Women With Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

Authors

  • Maureen Heaman

Abstract

Women who are hospitalized for treatment of complications of pregnancy experience stress resulting from hospitalization, in addition to stress generated by their high risk pregnancy. Stressors associated with antepartum hospitalization include separation from home and family, health concerns, loss of control, isolation, and boredom (Becker, 1984; Waldron & Asayama, 1985; White & Ritchie, 1984). Research investigating the impact of these stressors reveals that hospitalized high risk pregnant women exhibit greater manifestations of stress than non-hospitalized low-risk pregnant women. Hospitalized pregnant women report greater anxiety and depression, lower self- esteem, and less optimal family functioning than low risk pregnant women (Becker, 1984; Mercer & Ferketich, 1988; Mercer, Ferketich, DeJoseph, May & Sollid, 1988). This evidence has led to concern about the effects of hospitalization on the pregnant woman and her family. The recent trend toward the development of antepartum home care programs offers an alternative to hospitalization (Dahlberg, 1988; Miller, 1990). These programs allow high risk pregnant women to be cared for in the familiar environment of their homes, with access to social support from their families. Social support has been found to buffer, or mediate, the effects of stressful life events on emotional disequilibrium and complications of pregnancy in low risk pregnant women (Norbeck & Tilden, 1983; Nuck-olls, Cassell & Kaplan, 1972). However, few investigations have been conducted to determine the effect of social support in high risk pregnancies. This study was designed to explore whether women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), cared for in an antepartum home care program, would experience lower levels of stressful life events and mood disturbance, mediated by increased access to social support, when compared to women with PIH cared for in a hospital setting. A comparison group of pregnant women not experiencing any complications (low risk) was also incorporated

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Published

1992-04-13

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Section

Articles