The relationship between social support and mental health problems during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bedaso, A; Adams, J; Peng, W; Sibbritt, D

The relationship between social support and mental health problems during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bedaso, A Adams, J

Peng, W

Sibbritt, D

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Publisher:: BMC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Reproductive Health, 2021, 18, (1), pp. 162
Issue Date:: 2021-07-28

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Bedaso, A
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717
dc.contributor.author	Peng, W https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9747-2466
dc.contributor.author	Sibbritt, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-9447
dc.date.accessioned	2021-10-11T07:34:05Z
dc.date.available	2021-07-19
dc.date.available	2021-10-11T07:34:05Z
dc.date.issued	2021-07-28
dc.identifier.citation	Reproductive Health, 2021, 18, (1), pp. 162
dc.identifier.issn	1742-4755
dc.identifier.issn	1742-4755
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151004
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>Pregnancy is a time of profound physical and emotional change as well as an increased risk of mental illness. While strengthening social support is a common recommendation to reduce such mental health risk, no systematic review or meta-analysis has yet examined the relationship between social support and mental problems during pregnancy.<h4>Methods</h4>The PRISMA checklist was used as a guide to systematically review relevant peer-reviewed literature reporting primary data analyses. PubMed, Psych Info, MIDIRS, SCOPUS, and CINAHL database searches were conducted to retrieve research articles published between the years 2000 to 2019. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale tool was used for quality appraisal and the meta-analysis was conducted using STATA. The Q and the I<sup>2</sup> statistics were used to evaluate heterogeneity. A random-effects model was used to pool estimates. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger's regression test and adjusted using trim and Fill analysis.<h4>Result</h4>From the identified 3760 articles, 67 articles with 64,449 pregnant women were part of the current systematic review and meta-analysis. From the total 67 articles, 22 and 45 articles included in the narrative analysis and meta-analysis, respectively. From the total articles included in the narrative analysis, 20 articles reported a significant relationship between low social support and the risk of developing mental health problems (i.e. depression, anxiety, and self-harm) during pregnancy. After adjusting for publication bias, based on the results of the random-effect model, the pooled odds ratio (POR) of low social support was AOR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.41) for studies examining the relationship between low social support and antenatal depression and AOR: 1.97 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.92) for studies examining the relationship between low social support and antenatal anxiety.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Low social support shows significant associations with the risk of depression, anxiety, and self-harm during pregnancy. Policy-makers and those working on maternity care should consider the development of targeted social support programs with a view to helping reduce mental health problems amongst pregnant women.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	BMC
dc.relation.ispartof	Reproductive Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/s12978-021-01209-5
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Anxiety
dc.subject.mesh	Mental Health
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Social Support
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnant Women
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Anxiety
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Mental Health
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnant Women
dc.subject.mesh	Social Support
dc.title	The relationship between social support and mental health problems during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	18
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-10-11T07:34:01Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	18
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Background

Pregnancy is a time of profound physical and emotional change as well as an increased risk of mental illness. While strengthening social support is a common recommendation to reduce such mental health risk, no systematic review or meta-analysis has yet examined the relationship between social support and mental problems during pregnancy.

Methods

The PRISMA checklist was used as a guide to systematically review relevant peer-reviewed literature reporting primary data analyses. PubMed, Psych Info, MIDIRS, SCOPUS, and CINAHL database searches were conducted to retrieve research articles published between the years 2000 to 2019. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale tool was used for quality appraisal and the meta-analysis was conducted using STATA. The Q and the I² statistics were used to evaluate heterogeneity. A random-effects model was used to pool estimates. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger's regression test and adjusted using trim and Fill analysis.

Result

From the identified 3760 articles, 67 articles with 64,449 pregnant women were part of the current systematic review and meta-analysis. From the total 67 articles, 22 and 45 articles included in the narrative analysis and meta-analysis, respectively. From the total articles included in the narrative analysis, 20 articles reported a significant relationship between low social support and the risk of developing mental health problems (i.e. depression, anxiety, and self-harm) during pregnancy. After adjusting for publication bias, based on the results of the random-effect model, the pooled odds ratio (POR) of low social support was AOR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.41) for studies examining the relationship between low social support and antenatal depression and AOR: 1.97 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.92) for studies examining the relationship between low social support and antenatal anxiety.

Conclusion

Low social support shows significant associations with the risk of depression, anxiety, and self-harm during pregnancy. Policy-makers and those working on maternity care should consider the development of targeted social support programs with a view to helping reduce mental health problems amongst pregnant women.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151004