Erika R Cheng1, Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman2, Meghan E Perkins3, Janet Wilson Rich-Edwards4,5, Matthew W Gillman2, Rosalind Wright6, Elsie M Taveras3. 1. 1 Section of Children's Health Services Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana. 2. 2 Obesity Prevention Program, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute , Boston, Massachusetts. 3. 3 Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children , Boston, Massachusetts. 4. 4 Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts. 5. 5 Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health , Boston, Massachusetts. 6. 6 Department of Pediatrics, Kravis Children's Hospital, Mindich Child Health and Development Institute , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While there has been considerable attention given to the multitude of maternal factors that contribute to perinatal conditions and poor birth outcomes, few studies have aimed to understand the impact of fathers or partners. We examined associations of antenatal partner support with psychological variables, smoking behavior, and pregnancy outcomes in two socioeconomically distinct prebirth cohorts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were from 1764 women recruited from an urban-suburban group practice (Project Viva) and 877 women from urban community health centers (Project ACCESS), both in the Boston area. Antenatal partner support was assessed by the Turner Support Scale. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses determined the impact of low antenatal partner support on the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: In early pregnancy, 6.4% of Viva and 23.0% of ACCESS participants reported low partner support. After adjustment, low partner support was cross-sectionally associated with high pregnancy-related anxiety in both cohorts (Viva AOR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0-3.4 and ACCESS AOR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3) and with depression in ACCESS (AOR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3). In Viva, low partner support was also related to depression mid-pregnancy (AOR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.7-5.7) and to smoking (AOR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3-3.8). Birth weight, gestational age, and fetal growth were not associated with partner support. CONCLUSIONS: This study of two economically and ethnically distinct cohorts in the Boston area highlights higher levels of antenatal anxiety, depression, and smoking among pregnant women who report low partner support. Partner support may be an important and potentially modifiable target for interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes.
BACKGROUND: While there has been considerable attention given to the multitude of maternal factors that contribute to perinatal conditions and poor birth outcomes, few studies have aimed to understand the impact of fathers or partners. We examined associations of antenatal partner support with psychological variables, smoking behavior, and pregnancy outcomes in two socioeconomically distinct prebirth cohorts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were from 1764 women recruited from an urban-suburban group practice (Project Viva) and 877 women from urban community health centers (Project ACCESS), both in the Boston area. Antenatal partner support was assessed by the Turner Support Scale. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses determined the impact of low antenatal partner support on the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: In early pregnancy, 6.4% of Viva and 23.0% of ACCESS participants reported low partner support. After adjustment, low partner support was cross-sectionally associated with high pregnancy-related anxiety in both cohorts (Viva AOR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0-3.4 and ACCESS AOR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3) and with depression in ACCESS (AOR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3). In Viva, low partner support was also related to depression mid-pregnancy (AOR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.7-5.7) and to smoking (AOR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3-3.8). Birth weight, gestational age, and fetal growth were not associated with partner support. CONCLUSIONS: This study of two economically and ethnically distinct cohorts in the Boston area highlights higher levels of antenatal anxiety, depression, and smoking among pregnant women who report low partner support. Partner support may be an important and potentially modifiable target for interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Authors: Rosalind J Wright; Kate Fisher; Yueh-Hsiu Mathilda Chiu; Robert O Wright; Rebecca Fein; Sheldon Cohen; Brent A Coull Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2013-06-01 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: Joan Rosen Bloch; David A Webb; Leny Mathews; Erika Fitzpatrick Dennis; Ian M Bennett; Jennifer F Culhane Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2009-08-01
Authors: Rebecca B Russell; Nancy S Green; Claudia A Steiner; Susan Meikle; Jennifer L Howse; Karalee Poschman; Todd Dias; Lisa Potetz; Michael J Davidoff; Karla Damus; Joann R Petrini Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Jo Kay C Ghosh; Michelle H Wilhelm; Christine Dunkel-Schetter; Christina A Lombardi; Beate R Ritz Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2010-01-12 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: Elizabeth Marshall; Margaret Abigail Moon; Anicia Mirchandani; D Grace Smith; Lauren P Nichols; Xinyan Zhao; V G Vinod Vydiswaran; Tammy Chang Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2019-10
Authors: Carson Kautz-Turnbull; Christie L M Petrenko; Elizabeth D Handley; Claire D Coles; Julie A Kable; Wladimir Wertelecki; Lyubov Yevtushok; Natalya Zymak-Zakutnya; Christina D Chambers Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2021-05-17 Impact factor: 3.928
Authors: Miriam J Haviland; Yael I Nillni; Howard J Cabral; Matthew P Fox; Lauren A Wise; Heather H Burris; Michele R Hacker Journal: Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol Date: 2021-03-05 Impact factor: 3.103
Authors: Brandon A Knettel; Rimel N Mwamba; Linda Minja; David B Goldston; Judith Boshe; Melissa H Watt Journal: AIDS Date: 2020-09-01 Impact factor: 4.632
Authors: Miriam J Haviland; Yael I Nillni; Matthew P Fox; David A Savitz; Elizabeth E Hatch; Kenneth J Rothman; Michele R Hacker; Tanran R Wang; Lauren A Wise Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2020-08-22 Impact factor: 3.797